The independence of the District Judiciary is part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. CJI DY Chandrachud stated that the word ‘Subordinate’ is just a rank below. The district judiciary is not a subordinate judiciary but just a rank below the high court[1]. In order to maintain the independence of the judiciary, the high court examines over the district courts. This is done to uphold the doctrine of “Separation of Powers”. If the validity of such doctrine would not exist then the executive may hold supremacy over the tasks of the judiciary.
The bench comprising of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice V Ramasubramanian, and Justice PS Narsimha also observed that if the judges become partial under the District Judiciary then the “Justice”, a preambular goal becomes illusory. The court emphasized that we need to change our mindsets regarding the district judiciary. It is not a subordinate judiciary. The role of the district judiciary in the judicial administration of India is appreciable and extremely crucial to seek justice. In order to safeguard their impartiality, it is urgent to maintain their financial stability.
The number of pending cases is raising in India with the growing time. Hence, the district courts try to consider each effectively and efficiently. According to the Supreme Court, for the majority of the litigants, District courts are the physically accessible to seek the justice[2]. Therefore, the Supreme Court emphasized all to view the district judiciary as an imperative element of the judicial system of India.
Written by- Aniruddh Atul Garg, a student at ILSR, GLA University, Mathura, 2nd Semester, an intern under Legal Vidhiya
[1] THE HINDU, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/district-courts-are-not-subordinate-in-judiciay-they-are-just-a-rank-below-to-high-courts-says-chief-justice-of-india/article66321647.ece/amp/ (last visited 22nd May, 2023).
[2] HINDUSTAN TIMES, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-declares-independence-of-district-judiciary-as-part-of-constitution-s-basic-structure-for-access-to-justice-101684524112208-amp.html (last visited 22nd May, 2023).
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