In an exclusive conversation with Ananthakrishnan G, newly appointed Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant shares his vision for the judiciary during his 15-month term that commenced on November 24. Speaking candidly about reforms, Justice Kant discusses making the Collegium system more transparent while also addressing the long-standing issue of case pendency. He outlines a clear roadmap focused on strengthening judicial appointments by giving greater importance to merit, ethical standards, professional experience and the temperament essential for discharging judicial responsibilities effectively.
Every CJI brings their own way of working and their own systems. What’s common is the commitment to the institution and to the cause of justice, says CJI Kant. (File photo)
Speaking about judicial reforms and the need to reduce case backlogs, newly appointed Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant has shared his vision for the judiciary during his 15-month tenure that began on November 24. In an interview with Ananthakrishnan G, he also touched upon making the Collegium system more transparent and accountable.
Reflecting on his long stint of over 14 years at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Surya Kant recalled his close involvement in cases related to the growing drug crisis in Punjab. Asked about the seriousness of the issue and the role played by the judiciary, he explained that he was entrusted with the matter around 2015, when he was one of the senior-most judges of the High Court.
He said the case was listed regularly—at least once every month—until his elevation as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. This consistent monitoring, he noted, was essential to keep track of developments and push for gradual improvement in the situation.
Justice Kant described the exercise as demanding and emotionally taxing, calling it a real test of perseverance. According to him, the issue could not be addressed through a single decisive order or sweeping directions. Instead, it required long-term supervision, continuous review, and meaningful engagement with all concerned stakeholders.
At the time, he observed, the drug problem in Punjab had reached alarming proportions. Upon taking charge of the case, his priority was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the crisis. This involved hearing the concerns of affected families, assessing how institutions were responding, and closely engaging with the administrative and governmental machinery responsible for tackling the menace.
Justice Surya Kant further explained that during the course of proceedings, the court also had to step in to stop repeated attempts to shift officers who were sincerely working at the grassroots level. He said that once all the concerned authorities placed their status reports on record and the situation became clearer, it was possible to adopt a more organised and targeted approach. Only then, he noted, could the judiciary begin addressing the crisis in a holistic manner, dealing with the problem at both the broader policy level and at the ground level.
Looking back, Justice Kant described the case as wide-ranging in scope. On the enforcement front, the court addressed the criminal aspects by setting up investigative panels and ordering action, including the extradition of key individuals who were allegedly making huge profits from the illegal drug trade. Parallelly, preventive steps were taken to secure borders more effectively, combining physical infrastructure with technological surveillance.
Equally important, he stressed, was the need to focus on those affected by addiction. The court issued directions for setting up de-addiction and rehabilitation centres to provide support to addicts and reduce the heavy emotional and financial strain on their families, many of whom belonged to economically weaker sections. Awareness among young people was also prioritised, with the court directing changes in school and college syllabi through an expert committee tasked with designing suitable educational and preventive measures.
₹599
London Hills Men Jeans || Baggy Fit Jean’s for Man || Loose Fit High Rise Denim || Stretchable Casual Wear Jean,s || Dance Rap Rapping Style Pant for Men || Denim Cotton Jeans (0)
