"No vacation benches will sit during winter break": CJI DY Chandrachud makes it clear after Law Minister jibe on long court vacations

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud made it clear on Friday that no vacation bench will sit in Supreme Court during the upcoming winter break of the court.

This is in tune with the usual practice since vacation benches are usually constituted only for the longer summer break during May-June and not during the winter break in December.

"There will be no benches available from tomorrow till the January 2, 2023," the CJI said.

The winter break is for two weeks starting from December 19 with the Court reopening on January 2.

However, the remarks by CJI comes at a time when Union Law Minister took a jab at the judiciary for enjoying long court vacations.

“There is a feeling among people of India that the long vacation which the courts obtain is not very convenient for justice-seekers and it is my obligation and duty to convey the message or sense of this House to the judiciary," the Law Minister had said in parliament on Thursday as per The Indian Express.

The long vacations availed by courts have frequently come under criticism.

The Bombay High Court is even seized of a petition challenging such long court vacations.