“No need for Constitutional amendment”, Venkaiah Naidu bats for Supreme Court Benches in four regions

Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu batted for the division of the Supreme Court into two – one dealing with Constitutional issues, and the second dealing with other legal issues..Naidu was speaking at the release of the book titled Parameswara to PP, which is a collection of writings and articles of the famous lawyer PP Rao, who was fondly called as PP by those who knew him..Naidu backed the Law Commission’s suggestion for the division of the Supreme Court and setting up of its Benches in four different regions. He went on to say that a large number of litigants have to travel long distances and spend huge amounts of money and energy to pursue cases filed at the sole Bench of the Supreme Court in Delhi. Therefore, the time has come to give the Law Commission’s suggestion serious consideration, Naidu said..“Expanding the Supreme Court bench and having separate benches in different regions on a trial basis has been suggested by the Parliamentary Committee on Law and Justice. As the Law Commission has suggested, there is a need for the division of Supreme Court into Constitution Bench at Delhi and separate benches in four regions. I tend to agree with these suggestions.”.Venkaiah Naidu also said that the recent increase in the number of judges at the Supreme Court was still not adequate. He further pointed out that Article 130 of the Constitution already calls for additional Benches of the Supreme Court. Hence, there was no need for a Constitutional amendment to give effect to the same. He said,.“As regards the need for the division of Apex Court in four regions, Article 130 of the Constitution states: .‘The Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places, as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint’.…so it is clear that there is no need for any constitutional amendment, it’s a decision to be taken by the Judiciary and by the government.”.The Vice-President also called for the expeditious disposal of election petitions, cases concerning disqualification of legislators on account of defection, and those concerning criminal proceedings against politicians..“Election cases and criminal proceedings against politicians and elected representatives should be decided quickly by special benches of higher courts in time-bound manner. If need be, separate benches may be set up to expedite such cases within 6 months and 1 year.”.Naidu also rued the fact that the anti-defection law is not implemented in letter and spirit. He opined that this was on account of the inaction of the Speaker of the House and delay in deciding on questions of disqualification..“This kind of travesty of justice should not be allowed. Any delays in such cases erode public confidence in judicial and legislative bodies”.Supreme Court judge Justice Rohinton Nariman and former Law Minister and Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid were also present at the book launch.