'Bar Not Consulted' : SCAORA Requests CJI Sanjiv Khanna To Remove Glass Panels In Corridors, Relocate National Judicial Museum
Anmol Kaur Bawa
2 Dec 2024 5:16 PM IST
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) on December 2, wrote to the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna requesting for the removal of the glass panels installed in the corridors and relocation of the National Judicial Museum and Archive to a lower security zone area.
These infrastructural changes were introduced during the term of the previous CJI, Justice DY Chandrachud, who retired on November 10.
As regards the glass partitions, the SCAORA has stated in the letter that "none of the stakeholders or the representatives of the bar were consulted to bring about the said change."
The letter by SCAORA Hony. Secretary Nikhil Jain addresses the issue of cramping of space due to the creation of the glass corridors and how it restricts easy access to Court rooms.
"The space in the corridors has reduced drastically, making it difficult for members of the bar, registered clerks, interns and litigants to move around, especially during the peak hours. This has led to delays in Court proceedings and increased frustration among all the stake holders in the justice delivery process. Needless to add that the availability of fresh air and sunshine has been severely restricted due to these additions."
The SCAORA also expressed that the coming of the new glass corridors has take away the historical and aesthetic charm of the Main Supreme Court Building. It has also flagged the safety concerns for lawyers and other stakeholders, as the glass panels have been damaged and developed cracks.
The SCAORA thus urged, "that the glass partitions be removed, and the original layout of the corridors be restored to maintain the Court's historical significance. This request was made in several discussions/meetings with the competent authorities earlier; however, it could not be addressed until now, resulting in the present letter."
The Association also reiterated its previous concerns over the need to relocate the National Judicial Museum and Archive to a lower security zone and utilise the space for creating better amenities for the members of the bar instead. It said that the NJMA was set up in the Old Judges' Library without consulting the bar respresentatives.
"Relocating these facilities to an area with lower security requirements would free up crucial space for the establishment of amenities that would directly benefit the legal professionals who work tirelessly to uphold justice. This could include the creation of dedicated spaces for video conferencing, workstations, canteen, library, conference rooms, bar lounges & waiting area for litigants etc., which are vital to fostering a productive and supportive environment for the members of the bar and litigants alike."
SCAORA further explained why the presence of the Museum at a High Security Zone in the Supreme Court Premises proses a major security threat:
"On the one hand, the court only allows one client per matter and restricts entry of additional clients; on the other hand, visitors who have no role to play in the dispensation of justice are allowed to enter the high- security area. This not only violates the Court's own practice but also hinders the parking areas, security, accessibility to corridors and washrooms for the stakeholders, who use these facilities on a daily basis. The NJMA can very well be relocated to an area, with a designated separate entrance, so as to not hinder the daily operations of the Court."
Notably, earlier the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) had also resolved to boycott the inaugural function of the Museum on November 7. In a resolution dated November 6, 2024, the majority of the Executive Committee (EC) of the SCBA reiterated its earlier demand that the vacant space in the High-Security Zone of the Supreme Court grounds be allocated to the SCBA to establish a library and cafe/lounge for its members, rather than a museum.
