Supreme Court Strength Soars to 37 as Centre Elevates Three Chief Justices

In a significant development for India's judiciary, the Central Government on [Date] elevated three Chief Justices of High Courts to the Supreme Court. The appointments raise the apex court's working strength to 37, marking a step towards addressing the growing pendency of cases.

The three Chief Justices—[Names]—were sworn in by the President of India. The Supreme Court had a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, but with retirements and vacancies, the working strength had dipped. The government's move is seen as an effort to fill the gap and enhance judicial efficiency. According to the National Judicial Data Grid, over 4.5 crore cases are pending across Indian courts, with the Supreme Court alone accounting for over 70,000 cases.

The appointments have been welcomed by legal experts, who note that a full-strength Supreme Court is crucial for timely justice. However, some critics argue that the government should also focus on filling vacancies in lower courts. The new judges are expected to bring diverse experience from their respective High Courts, potentially influencing key constitutional matters. The next steps include the allocation of portfolios and the scheduling of hearings to tackle the backlog.