Answer:

Introduction:

The Supreme Court of India currently faces a significant backlog of 80,344 cases, highlighting the need for structural reforms to enhance the judicial process’s efficiency and effectiveness.

Body:

The backlog in the Supreme Court can be attributed to several factors:

• Limited Number of Judges: The current strength of judges is insufficient to handle the volume of cases.
• High Rate of Appeals: A large number of appeals from lower courts add to the caseload.
• Complex Legal Procedures: Prolonged and complex legal procedures often result in extended case durations.
• Pandemic-Induced Delays: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented delays in case hearings and judgments.

“Revitalizing Judicial Efficiency: Proposed Structural Reforms for the Supreme Court of India”

• Constitution Benches Establishment: Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s announcement to establish permanent Constitution Benches of varying strengths is a step towards addressing the backlog and improving efficiency in handling constitutional matters​​.
• Splitting the Court’s Functions: Dividing the Supreme Court into divisions for constitutional matters and appellate issues has been proposed, which could streamline case management and focus on specific legal areas.
• Regional Benches Introduction: To decentralize the caseload and enhance accessibility, the establishment of regional benches has been recommended. This approach could lead to a more equitable distribution of cases across the country​​.
• Reforming Supreme Court Rules: Implementing these structural changes could be achieved through amendments to the Supreme Court Rules under Article 145, a less cumbersome approach than constitutional amendments, requiring only the President’s assent​​.

Challenges and Feasibility:

Implementing these structural reforms poses challenges, including constitutional amendments and administrative restructuring. However, amendments to the Supreme Court Rules under Article 145 could be a less cumbersome path to achieving these reforms, requiring the assent of the President to take effect​​.

Conclusion:

While these reforms are challenging to implement, they are essential for the Supreme Court to fulfill its role effectively and maintain its promise of being a court for all Indians. The recent initiatives and announcements are steps in the right direction, but a concerted effort is required to bring about these significant changes.