'I Don't Promise Miracles But Will Not Disappoint Anyone': New CJI Surya Kant

At the felicitation function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association five days after he took charge as India's 53rd Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant said, "Today I will not read out from a written speech; what I say will be from my heart."CJI Surya Kant said he considers the Bar as his family, and whatever the problems lawyers faced, he considered those as his own problem, and those will be solved on a priority basis.The new CJI plans to roll out reforms vis-à-vis the working of the Supreme Court from December 1, and as a pilot project, he will streamline the listing of matters and end the element of uncertainty as to when a fresh matter will be heard. He gradually plans to do away with the practice of lawyers daily mentioning

matters in the morning seeking urgent hearing or early listing. "I will try to solve all pressing problems; I'll try to solve on a priority basis...it's not my single-handed effort or ability that will resolve all pending issues. I need total cooperation from the Bar...everything can be achieved through collaborative efforts; we will find a solution...in all these endeavours I must very candidly acknowledge the role of sister and brother judges too... I must say that just one CJI will come and do a miracle with a magic wand; it's not like that. This institution grown gained its strength through invaluable service by past Chief Justices I am thankful to all CJIs in the past for the commendable leadership they provided, and that is a benchmark for us to move ahead. I will achieve my goal and will not disappoint anyone," he added.Remembering his early career years, the CJI said after 15 years of practice he became Advocate General of the state of Haryana. "There was a lot of conflict. Bar and the Bench, Bar and the government... I took over as AG at that juncture. There were issues with infrastructure. Within two months I could solve several issues by speaking to bar associations... First I provided the young members libraries. When I was a judge of the Punjab and Haryana HC, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, who was my Chief Justice, also entrusted me with a lot of tasks...issues with district judiciaries and infrastructure issues in Ludhiana. I could fulfill the tasks entrusted. I gave all these examples to convey a message: I consider Bar as my family. Whatever your problem is, it's my problem. SCBA President Vikas Singh has extended full cooperation. I'm here to perform and come up to your expectations," CJI Kant added.