The CJI to be has got off on a right note by stressing that every obstacle in delivering speedy justice to the masses must be consciously removed, a mechanism to weed out avoidable litigation which consumes precious time of the court should be put in place on priority basis. Also costs must be imposed on litigants bringing frivolous cases to courts. The primary function of the Supreme Court as mandated by the Constitution is to lay down the law and decide intricate constitutional issues, a permanent 5 judge bench should be set up for this purpose. The SC has devised the concept of public interest litigation to enable a public spirited person to bring to the court's notice violation of fundamental rights of the poor and deprived who do not have the wherewithal to approach the judiciary for redressal of their grievances. But over the last decade there has been a tsunami of chronic PIL filers rushing to the court with any issue. There are far reaching judicial reforms required and the incoming CJI has to be the first off the blocks if the Augean stables are to be really cleaned.
