New Delhi:

Making an important observation and calling for reform, Supreme Court judge AS Oka, whose last working day was on Friday, said the court is Chief Justice-centric and needs to change. Justice Oka also hinted that this change may come under the new Chief Justice, BR Gavai, who took charge earlier this month and will remain in the post until his retirement in November. 

Speaking at his farewell organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, Justice Oka said High Courts function more democratically than the Supreme Court. 

“The high courts function through committees, while the Supreme Court is Chief Justice of India-centric Court. It needs to change. You will see this change with the new CJI,” he said, adding, “I am very happy that Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna (who retired on May 13) took us forward on the path of transparency. He took decisions taking every judge of the Supreme Court into confidence. Justice Gavai has democratic values in his blood.”

Pointing out other areas in which the top tier of the judiciary could improve, Justice Oka said the Supreme Court and the High Courts have ignored the trial courts. 

“There are too many cases pending in our trial and district courts… Never call a trial court a subordinate court. This is against constitutional values. Appeals have been pending for 25 years. Courts like Allahabad are working at half the number. It is a difficult task to punish someone after 20 years,” he said.