The Supreme Court from Wednesday, 11 May, will have a single-judge bench to hear cases of anticipatory bail and all kinds of transfer cases involving not more than a seven-year jail term.
In the backdrop of growing pendency of cases, the decision of the apex court assumes significance, as for the first time since its inception, a single-judge bench will hear transfer petitions and special leave petitions arising out of bail orders.
Till now, the Supreme Court had a minimum of two judges hearing any case.
According to the law ministry, there were around 59,867 cases pending in the apex court and 44.75 lakh cases in various high courts till November last year.
According to the amendment, the following matters can be heard by a single-judge bench nominated by the Chief Justice:
(With inputs from LiveLaw)
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