In a significant shake-up of its weekly schedule, the Supreme Court has announced it will no longer hear regular matters on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Instead, these midweek slots will focus on miscellaneous cases, such as bail applications and transfer petitions, aiming to streamline the growing docket.
The new directive, issued via a circular, outlines that Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays will be reserved for handling these shorter cases. For part-heard or special bench matters requiring further consideration, the hearings will occur post-lunch or as designated by relevant authorities.
This shift, introduced by the newly-appointed Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, marks his first major reform since taking office. By optimizing time allocated for different types of cases, the change aims to chip away at the mountain of pending cases, which currently stands at over 83,000.
The revised schedule is intended to remain in effect until further notice, signaling a sustained focus on efficiency and case management in India’s apex court.
