CJI is First Among Equals, Will Decide Allocation of Cases: SC

A bench including the CJI has dismissed a PIL seeking framing of guidelines for transparent allocation of cases.

CJI Dipak Misra.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the "first among equals" and has the constitutional authority to decide allocation of cases and setting up of benches to hear them, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday, 11 April.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud dismissed a PIL seeking framing of guidelines for rational and transparent allocation of cases and constitution of benches to hear them.

Justice Chandrachud, writing the judgment for the bench, referred to constitutional schemes and said "the Chief Justice of India is first among equals and has the authority to decide allocation of cases and setting up of benches".

Since the CJI is a high constitutional functionary, there cannot be "any distrust about the responsibilities he discharges" to ensure that the Supreme Court carries out the work required under the Constitution, the order stated.

The PIL was filed in the backdrop of the 12 January press conference held by senior-most apex court judges including Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph, which was an unprecedented event. The judges had alleged improper allocation of cases by the CJI.

The PIL was filed by Ashok Pande seeking guidelines for the Supreme Court and all the high courts on the allocation of cases and the setting up of benches.