India’s next Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit  stressed that a government is answerable if any Supreme Court judgement is not implemented. He also said that anyone can criticise a court judgement but ridiculing judges for it is not right.In an exclusive conversation with Times Now, UU Lalit asserted that his priority as the Chief Justice of India would be to dispose of 71,200 cases which are still pending in the Supreme Court.

Justice Lalit will take oath as the next CJI on August 27 and his tenure will end by November 8, 2022 as he will turn 65 years old. However, he remain unfazed by the short duration of his tenure and is determined to reduce pendency of cases in the country by using more and more mediation, Lok Adalats and out of court settlements.

He further suggested that legal aid will be used as a tool to bring down the pendency.

On being asked why situation is not changing at the ground level despite Supreme Court judgements, he said the executive is answerable on this count. “No wonder courts are flooded with contempt pleas, but ultimately it is up to the executive to see that principles laid down by the top court get followed to the teeth,” he added.

The 64-year-old shifted focus to the increasing criticism of judges on social media and stressed, “Judgements can be criticised as it helps judiciary correct itself. It helps in course correction. If criticism is within bounds, it is permissible but criticism of a judge is not a healthy idea.”

Jutsice UU Lalit backed the collegium system saying it is a unique feature which has been recognised and worked well in many places. He, however, suggested that may be the application of some principles in the system needs some introspection.

When asked about his message to the country on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day, the next CJI said, “Justice must reach every level, every nook and corner of the country.”