Judges work 24/7, not just during court sessions: Former CJI DY Chandrachud

New Delhi: In a recent interview with a news channel, former Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud addressed the ongoing debate around vacations for judges, defending the judiciary against criticism of excessive holidays.

Justice Chandrachud explained that judges work tirelessly, often beyond courtroom duties, managing administrative responsibilities alongside adjudicating cases. “Judges work 24/7, 365 days a year,” he emphasized, adding that district judges frequently hold benches even on weekends.

He also highlighted that the Supreme Court of India operates with one of the longest durations of weekly sessions globally. “In other countries, Supreme Court judges might sit for a week and then take another week off to deliver judgments. That is not the case in India,” he noted.

Responding to whether global perspectives should be more sensitive to the issue of court vacations, Justice Chandrachud agreed wholeheartedly.

He pointed out that even during summer vacations, the court continues to function partially, ensuring that “the doors of the court are never closed.”