Need for Regional Supreme Court Benches Grows Across India

The demand for establishing regional benches of the Supreme Court has gained momentum following a recent proposal in the Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Boro recently highlighted the need for a regional bench to assist citizens in the Northeast, ensuring they do not have to travel to Delhi for legal justice. This move aligns with Article 130 of the Constitution, which empowers the Chief Justice of India to designate other places for Supreme Court sittings with the approval of the President.

History and Recommendations for Regional Benches

While the demand is currently in the spotlight, it is not a new concept. A parliamentary standing committee on Law and Justice previously informed the Lok Sabha that the Ministry of Law and Justice had recommended the creation of regional benches across India. Furthermore, the 229th Law Commission report proposed a structure featuring four appellate benches in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai or Hyderabad, and a central constitutional bench in Delhi. Historical records from parliamentary committees consistently emphasize the need to reduce travel costs for litigants and decrease the backlog of regular appeals.

Benefits of Decentralizing Justice

Proponents argue that regional benches would significantly improve access to justice for people living in remote areas. By reducing the need for citizens from states like Nagaland, Mizoram, and Tripura to travel to the national capital, the legal process becomes more financially and logistically manageable. Additionally, a specialized bench system could allow the primary bench in Delhi to focus exclusively on critical constitutional issues, while regional benches handle local appeals, leading to faster case disposal and reduced pendency.

Addressing Challenges and Future Paths

Concerns regarding regional benches include the potential for conflicting interpretations of law and the high financial cost of building new judicial infrastructure. However, experts suggest a middle ground, such as separating constitutional jurisdictions from appellate ones. Implementing pilot projects or conducting thorough feasibility studies could help evaluate the effectiveness of these benches. Maintaining the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction under Article 131 and advisory powers under Article 143 would ensure that the core integrity of the judicial system remains intact while making justice more accessible to all citizens.