CJI Surya Kant’s Vision: ‘People’s Courts’ for Legal Emergencies – Is India Ready?

'For legal emergencies': CJI wants 'approachable' people's courts; lists his priorities

“For Legal Emergencies”: CJI Surya Kant’s Bold Push for People’s Courts

In a striking departure from abstract judicial rhetoric, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has issued a clear, urgent call: India needs people’s courts—not just in name, but in function. Courts that are approachable, responsive, and ready to act in moments of legal crisis. Whether it’s domestic violence, unlawful detention, or sudden eviction, citizens shouldn’t have to wait months or years for justice when their rights are under immediate threat.

Speaking at a recent public address, CJI Kant outlined his top judicial priorities, placing citizen-centric reform at the heart of his tenure. His vision isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about empathy, accessibility, and restoring public trust in a system often seen as distant and bureaucratic.

Table of Contents

What Are ‘People’s Courts’? CJI’s Definition

When CJI Surya Kant refers to people’s courts, he’s not advocating for informal kangaroo courts. Instead, he envisions regular judicial institutions—district courts, family courts, fast-track tribunals—that operate with a radically different mindset: one centered on immediacy and compassion.

“The justice delivery system must be sensitive to the needs of the common man,” the CJI emphasized. “Courts should be seen not as intimidating halls of power, but as safe havens for those in distress.” This means simplified procedures, multilingual support, digital filing options, and judges trained to recognize and act on genuine emergencies—without getting bogged down in technicalities.

CJI Surya Kant’s Top Judicial Priorities

Beyond the concept of people’s courts, the CJI has laid out a clear roadmap for judicial reform during his tenure:

  1. Reducing case pendency: With over 50 million pending cases nationwide, clearing backlog is non-negotiable.
  2. Enhancing judicial infrastructure: Modern courtrooms, e-filing systems, and better facilities for litigants and lawyers.
  3. Promoting alternative dispute resolution (ADR): Encouraging mediation and Lok Adalats to decongest courts.
  4. Improving access for marginalized groups: Special attention to women, SC/ST communities, and the economically disadvantaged.
  5. Strengthening judicial accountability: Transparent processes for complaints and performance review.

These priorities, he argues, are all interconnected—and all essential to making people’s courts a reality.

Consider this: a woman facing domestic violence files for a protection order. By the time her case is heard, weeks or months may have passed—time during which she remains at risk. Or a farmer whose land is illegally seized has no immediate recourse. These aren’t hypotheticals; they’re daily realities for millions.

The current system, designed for thoroughness over speed, often fails those who need justice most urgently. As noted by the Department of Justice, India, “access to timely justice” remains one of the biggest gaps in the legal ecosystem. CJI Kant’s focus on legal emergencies directly addresses this gap—framing justice not as a luxury for the patient, but a right for the vulnerable.

Grassroots Justice Models That Could Inspire Reform

India isn’t starting from scratch. Several pilot initiatives already embody the spirit of people’s courts:

  • Mahila Courts: Specialized courts for crimes against women, operating in states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
  • Night Courts in Delhi: Designed for working citizens who can’t attend daytime hearings.
  • Digital Lok Adalats: Online mediation platforms that resolved over 2.3 million cases in 2024 alone .

Scaling these models—with better funding, training, and public awareness—could be the key to national implementation.

Challenges and Criticism: Is This Realistic?

Skepticism is understandable. Critics point to chronic underfunding, judicial vacancies (over 20% in lower courts), and resistance to procedural change. “You can’t mandate empathy through a circular,” one senior advocate remarked.

Others worry that fast-tracking cases could compromise due process. But CJI Kant insists that speed and fairness aren’t mutually exclusive—especially with modern case management tools and trained judicial officers.

The Path Forward: Technology, Training, and Trust

To turn vision into reality, three pillars are essential:

  1. Technology: Expanding e-Courts, AI-assisted case triage, and mobile apps for legal aid.
  2. Training: Judicial academies must include modules on trauma-informed justice and emergency response.
  3. Community trust: Courts must partner with local NGOs, panchayats, and legal aid clinics to reach citizens where they are.

[INTERNAL_LINK:india-e-courts-project] could play a pivotal role in this transformation.

Conclusion: A Judiciary for the People?

CJI Surya Kant’s call for people’s courts is more than policy—it’s a moral imperative. In a democracy where justice delayed is justice denied, creating a system that responds to legal emergencies with urgency and humanity isn’t optional. It’s the foundation of a truly inclusive republic. Whether India’s judiciary can rise to this challenge will define not just CJI Kant’s legacy, but the future of Indian democracy itself.

Sources

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