CJI Surya Kant Sets Up High-Powered Panel For Judicial Infrastructure Overhaul

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has constituted a high-powered committee headed by Supreme Court judge Justice Aravind Kumar to prepare a comprehensive blueprint for the modernisation of courts across India and to facilitate a proposed government funding requirement of around ₹40,000–₹50,000 crore .

The initiative, announced under the ‘Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee’ , aims to address long-standing infrastructural gaps in the judiciary and strengthen the justice delivery system through substantial, phased financial support from the government.

The panel includes Justice Debangsu Basak (Calcutta High Court), Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra (Punjab and Haryana High Court), and Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan (Bombay High Court), along with the Director General of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the Secretary General of the Supreme Court of India.

The committee has been tasked with submitting its detailed report and funding requirements to Sanjeev Sanyal , member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, by August 31 .

While the report does not specify the funding mechanism, such large-scale judicial infrastructure projects are typically implemented through the Union Budget framework , spread over multiple financial years. The funding is expected to be routed through the Ministry of Law and Justice , with coordination from other central agencies, and may also involve centrally sponsored schemes with state participation .

Officials indicated that the proposed allocation will likely not be released as a single amount, but as a multi-year phased expenditure plan , covering both capital investment and technology upgrades .

The committee will focus on seven key areas , including identifying systemic bottlenecks , improving facilities for litigants and lawyers , and strengthening infrastructure for faster case disposal. A major emphasis will also be placed on expanding the e-Courts initiative to bridge the digital divide and promote paperless, technology-driven courts .

The panel will additionally explore the development of modern court complexes designed for 21st-century judicial needs , aiming to improve accessibility, efficiency, and overall case management in the country’s justice system.