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Maharashtra

Mumbai: ‘There Is Constant Tussle About Controlling Appointment Of Judges,’ CJI Chandrachud

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The tussle between the judiciary and the government over the appointment of judges was once again apparent on Friday when Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud breached the topic during the inauguration of the new premises of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) bench in Mumbai.

CJI said that there is a constant tussle about who will control the appointment of judges even as the vacancies arise, and the recommendations are kept pending for a long period of time.

Importance of tribunals

Emphasizing the importance of tribunals in the country, CJI said one of its objectives is to battle the delays and help unclog the courts and aid overall in the dispensation of justice.

The tribunals, however, are plagued with problems, and we ask ourselves whether it is really necessary to constitute so many tribunals, the CJI said. “Because you do not get judges, when you get judges, vacancies arise which are kept pending for a long period of time…and then there is this constant tussle about who will get ultimate control over the appointment of judges,” CJI added.

Appreciating the work culture in Maharashtra, CJI said: “There is a culture of governance where the government successfully has left the judiciary alone. They do not tinker with the work the judges do. They accept outcomes that are favorable…they accept outcomes that are unfavorable because that is the culture of Maharashtra.”

The struggle to acquire space in the city

Highlighting the struggle to acquire space in the city, CJI said that every Mumbaikar would testify to the troubles of securing a space. “Very often we forget the importance of the work that the government does in aiding and supporting the judicial infrastructure,” he said, adding that the government played a proactive role in allotting a place for a new high court complex.

The CJI, who has been vocal for inclusivity, said that to make justice accessible to all, it is necessary to make courtrooms more accessible to differently-abled persons. He added that technology cannot become the sole medium to access justice, and physical access to courts can never be understated and hence must be constantly improved.

Stressing the importance of tribunals, CJI said that it has also helped litigants. “A rightful but weary pensioner or a wrongly terminated single mother may not withstand a long and winded litigation as well as outlast her much more powerful opponent, usually the State, in a long-winded legal tussle,” the CJI said. The tribunals make this journey less onerous for the litigants in matters of public employment.

Infrastructural gaps in the judiciary

A report prepared by the Centre for Research and Planning highlights the infrastructural gaps in the judiciary. “The report found that for a sanctioned strength of 25,081 judges in the district judiciary, there is a shortage of 4051 courtrooms. Notably, 42.9 percent of the total courtrooms have been under construction in the last three years,” CJI said.

He said that there are many barriers that stand in the way of access to justice for many, and the inability to get a timely outcome may impact each person differently. At a certain level, we feel that delay impacts everybody equally, but that is not so, the CJI said, adding it has a disparate impact on everyone.

Giving examples of lactating mothers and a person in a wheelchair, CJI said: “It is no answer to a wheel-chair bound person, a senior citizen, or a lactating mother for our courts to tell them that our courts are better experienced online. The litigant alone must have the choice of how they want to access the courts.”

Democracy in India

While speaking at the Jamnalal Bajaj Awards, CJI said that India has been able to sustain democracy, unlike several other nations that acquired freedom around the same time as India did.

“75 years ago several nations across the world joined India in freeing from colonial rule but so many of these nations have fallen by the wayside. They attained independence but they were unable to attain true self-governance,” said CJI. India is unique because we have been able to sustain democracy. “What is it that sets us apart from several of those nations that attained freedom around the same time? Some say we have internalized democracy, constitutional values. Others will say the strength of our nation lies in its pluralistic culture, all-encompassing humanity,” CJI added.

He underscored that the power of violence, the power of guns has got better of the rule of law in other nations. However, India has survived because of our “ability to dialogue.”

Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: Tata Power Discom Ensures Uninterrupted Electricity Supply To 8 Lakh Consumers Amid Flooding

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Mumbai: As Mumbai reels under relentless monsoon rains, Tata Power Mumbai Discom stands resilient, ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to around 8 lakh consumers across the city.

Amid waterlogging and a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department, the Company’s frontline Employees have been working tirelessly to maintain power infrastructure and swiftly address any disruptions.

Equipped with safety gear and supported by strategically deployed Quick Response Teams, Tata Power’s Employees have been on round-the-clock duty across flood-prone zones.

Substations have been fortified with de-watering pumps, rescue boats, and life jackets to tackle emergencies. Preventive maintenance, earth leakage tests at feeder pillars, and elevated installations in low-lying areas have helped mitigate risks and ensure public safety.

Despite the challenges posed by submerged streets and disrupted transport, Tata Power’s Disaster Management Cell remains fully operational, coordinating efforts to restore services swiftly wherever needed.

The Company’s commitment to a Zero Harm Culture ensures that safety remains paramount for both workers and consumers.

This monsoon, Tata Power Mumbai Discom salutes its linemen—the unsung heroes—whose dedication and courage continue to light up homes, hospitals, and essential services across the city.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: Bombay HC Works Half Day Amid Red Alert, Allows Staff To Leave By 1 pm

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Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday functioned only till 12.30 pm due to incessant rains in the city. The normal working hours for the HC are from 11am to 5pm.

Red Alert Issued by IMD

The notice was issued after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red alert’, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Mumbai and adjoining districts on Tuesday.

Heavy rains battered Mumbai on Tuesday, affecting road and rail traffic and leading to the closure of government offices.

Court Notice on Shortened Hours

The high court, in a notice issued in the morning, said due to heavy rains and bad weather forecast as well as difficulties for advocates and staff members in commuting, all courts will function only till 12.30pm.

“All the officials / staff members are permitted to leave the office by 1pm,” the notice said. A day after rains pounded the city, heavy showers continued on Tuesday as well, severely affecting the city’s normal life.

Lawyers Argue Online, Matters Adjourned

Many lawyers appeared through video conference facility to argue their cases before the high court on Monday and Tuesday. Even as many lawyers were unable to appear either physically or online, the high court did not pass any adverse orders and adjourned the matter for hearing next week.

As the courts were unable to hear all the matters listed for hearing on Tuesday, the courts extended interim reliefs granted, if any, while adjourning the matters.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Police, BMC On High Alert As Heavy Rainfall Lashes City For 2nd Consecutive Day; CP Deven Bharti Assures Help

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Mumbai, August 19: Mumbai is reeling under heavy rains for the second consecutive day. Several areas in the city are witnessing waterlogging due to the heavy rains and high tide in the sea. Mumbai Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are on high alert to provide immediate help to the citizens stranded due to the flooding.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on Tuesday addressed the media and released a video on social media in the presence of Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani.

He assured the citizens that all necessary help will be provided as the city faces heavy rainfall. Addressing the media, he said that Mumbai Police and the BMC control rooms are working round the clock to ensure essential services reach people without disruption.

Earlier in the morning, at around 9 AM, the official handle of the Mumbai Police tweeted a safety message for citizens. “Good Morning Mumbai. Hope you are adhering to the safety guidelines in wake of the heavy showers expected today. Please take care, step out only if necessary, prevent going near the shore during high tide and don’t forget, you will find us around the corner for help, in case of any emergency,” the tweet read.

A similar advisory was also posted by the CPMumbai handle, urging people to step out only if absolutely necessary. Citizens were asked to avoid beaches during high tide and assured that police will be available in case of emergencies.

The advisory also appealed to private companies to allow employees to work from home as much as possible to reduce travel during the ongoing weather conditions. Authorities have asked everyone to follow safety guidelines strictly and remain indoors unless it is urgent to step out.

Key Safety Guidelines

Mumbaikars are urged to follow the safety guidelines issued by the authorities and adviced to remain safe during the heavy rains amid waterlogging.

1. Step out only if absolutely necessary.

2. Avoid non-essential travel during heavy rainfall.

3. Stay indoors unless urgent work requires going out.

4. Strictly avoid beaches and shoreline areas during high tide.

5. Maintain distance from water bodies that may be experiencing elevated levels.

6. Private companies urged to facilitate work-from-home arrangements.

7. Employers asked to minimise employee travel requirements during adverse weather.

Emergency Response

Both Mumbai Police and BMC control rooms are functioning round-the-clock to handle emergency situations and coordinate relief efforts.

Police personnel have been strategically positioned across the city to provide immediate assistance to citizens in distress.

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