Justice Surya Kant: High Courts Must Function Like Emergency Wards With Swift, Accurate Response

Supreme Court Judge speaks at Jharkhand High Court’s Silver Jubilee celebration in Ranchi

Ranchi:

Supreme Court Judge Justice Surya Kant on Saturday, 15 November, said that High Courts must evolve into institutions capable of responding to injustice with the speed and precision of an emergency ward in a hospital. Speaking at the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Jharkhand High Court in Ranchi, Justice Surya Kant stressed that courts must be equipped to deliver immediate, accurate and coordinated relief during moments of crisis—just as an emergency department cannot afford delay in life-threatening situations.

He said, “High Courts should envision their institutional development the same way a modern hospital designs its emergency services—with structures capable of immediate, decisive and precise responses during crises. Just as an emergency ward cannot tolerate delay, our courts too must aspire for similar levels of preparedness, efficiency and coordinated action.”

He added that strengthening technological infrastructure, streamlining procedures, building specialised expertise and ensuring quick adaptability of judicial processes are essential for timely and effective justice. “These are not merely administrative considerations; they are the next step in the evolution of access to justice,” he remarked.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal Praises Rapid Adoption of Technology

During the event in Ranchi, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal appreciated the rapid adoption of modern technology in the Jharkhand High Court. He said the new building is equipped with advanced facilities including solar panels, energy-efficient systems and a robust digital infrastructure.

He emphasised that technological intervention is the need of the hour, and the use of AI can help make judicial processes more efficient and citizen-friendly. The Minister called for wider implementation of e-courts, e-filing and virtual hearings, stating that technology improves court efficiency and also enhances access to justice.

A demand was also raised for establishing a bench of the Central Tribunal in the state. Responding positively, the Minister assured that the proposal would be considered seriously, raising hopes for a stronger judicial ecosystem in Jharkhand.

High Courts Are Engines of Social Reform: Justice Surya Kant

Justice Surya Kant highlighted that High Courts have the potential to act as engines of social transformation. Their constitutional standing, broad jurisdiction and close proximity to the people uniquely position them to shape legal progress and initiate social reform.

He said High Courts are the places where the highest ideals of justice meet the everyday realities of citizens, making them pivotal institutions for ensuring legal remedies and societal change.

Recalling one of his earliest cases involving two children caught in a cross-border custody dispute, he said what stayed with him was not legal complexity but the silent suffering of the children trapped between borders and courts. “That moment made me realise that delivering justice is not merely applying legal principles—it is a deep responsibility to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable.”

Three-Pillar Justice System: District Courts, High Courts and the Supreme Court

Justice Surya Kant noted that the Constitution has established a justice system built on three pillars, each with a unique but complementary role.

• District courts address daily grievances at the grassroots, strengthening public trust.

• The Supreme Court serves as the ultimate national guardian of constitutional boundaries.

• High Courts, positioned between them, act as a bridge between citizens and the Constitution.

He added that the powers of High Courts under Article 226 are broader than those of the Supreme Court under Article 32, as High Courts can protect not just fundamental rights but all legal rights. This breadth of power, combined with accessibility, makes High Courts essential for ensuring that protection and remedies are neither inaccessible nor delayed.