CJI Surya Kant Urges High Courts to Act Proactively, Warns Justice Delayed Is Justice Destroyed
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday emphasised that delays in judicial intervention do more than deny justice—they can destroy it. Speaking at the Fali Nariman memorial lecture and a Bombay High Court felicitation programme in Mumbai, he urged High Courts to act proactively, noting that timely judicial action is often the only safeguard against executive overreach.
Addressing the lecture on ‘Article 226 as the Guardian of Access to Justice,’ CJI Kant described High Courts as the “true first constitutional courts” for citizens, stressing their role in protecting fundamental rights. “High Courts are the primary sentinel guarding the doorsteps of the ordinary citizen… ensuring that the rule of law is not a distant concept but a localised, breathing reality,” he said.
Highlighting the powers under Article 226, he underlined the importance of interim relief, observing that the High Court’s ability to stay executive action at the first hearing is often the only meaningful access citizens experience.
CJI Kant cautioned against bypassing High Courts: “People who are rich and privileged should not think they have direct access to the Supreme Court merely because Article 32 allows it.”
Recalling India’s constitutional journey, he reflected on the Emergency period, describing how civil liberties were deliberately muted and denied under laws prioritising control over human dignity.
At the Bombay High Court felicitation, he also highlighted alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation, arbitration, and reconciliation. “These are not just convenient alternatives—they are instruments of mature justice. Courts must foster an environment where such mechanisms are taken seriously,” he said.
CJI Kant called for High Courts to adapt to the digital era, strengthen proactive oversight, and ensure that justice remains accessible, timely, and meaningful for every citizen.
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