New Delhi: The Supreme Court today ruled out a PIL seeking regulation of allocation of cases by the CJI affirming CJI’s as the ‘master of roster’ affirming his authority in allocating the cases to various benches in the Apex court.
The SC stated that the Chief Justice of India is the “first among equals,” and has complete authority to allocate the cases to various benches.
A plea seeking clarification on the administrative authorities of CJI in exercising his powers as ‘master of roster’ in allocating cases to various benches was filed by Senior advocate and former law minister Shanti Bhushan.
The Supreme Court reaffirmed that this authority to CJI is granted by the constitution and there is no debate in that.
“The Supreme Court is an independent safeguard for democracy. There cannot be a presumption of mistrust against the CJI,” the bench including Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra stated.