‘High Courts Must Act Proactively—Justice Delayed Is Destroyed,’ Says CJI

CJI Surya Kant: Justice Delayed Is Justice Destroyed, High Courts Must Act Proactively

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday stressed that delays in judicial action do more than deny justice—they can destroy it. Speaking at the Fali Nariman memorial lecture and a felicitation by the Bombay High Court in Mumbai, he urged High Courts to be vigilant and proactive in addressing systemic failures in the rule of law.

At the memorial lecture on ‘Article 226 as the Guardian of Access to Justice,’ CJI Kant described High Courts as the “true first constitutional courts” for citizens. He emphasised that they are the frontline guardians against illegal detention, administrative excess, and violations of dignity. “High Courts are the primary sentinel at the doorstep of the ordinary citizen, ensuring the rule of law is not a distant concept but a local, living reality,” he said.

Highlighting the powers of Article 226, he noted that interim relief at the first hearing often represents the only real access to justice for citizens. CJI Kant also cautioned against bypassing High Courts: “People who are privileged should not assume direct access to the Supreme Court merely because Article 32 allows it.”

Reflecting on India’s constitutional journey, he recalled the Emergency era, saying civil liberties were deliberately suppressed and laws prioritised control over human dignity.

At the Bombay High Court felicitation, CJI Kant highlighted alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation, arbitration, and reconciliation. “These are not just convenient alternatives—they are instruments of mature justice. Courts must encourage their serious use to preserve relationships, reduce delays, and allow judicial focus on critical disputes,” he said.

He concluded by calling on High Courts to embrace the digital era, strengthen proactive oversight, and ensure that justice remains timely, accessible, and meaningful for all citizens.