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The Supreme Court on Tuesday noted that the reason judges don’t move around courts is because there is “horrible” overcrowding.

In this light, top Court asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to “start planning” out a layout for enabling better access for judges, lawyers and officials. The bench added that though changes do not happen overnight, planning can begin.

Court was hearing regarding a plea seeking direction preparation of a layout for construction of a 'Judicial Vista' so as to enable "access to better and dignified working conditions for the Judges, members of the Bar and registry officials."

A bench of Justice Vineet Saran and Justice JK Maheshwari said that the problem is there, however, the bench cannot solve the problem, whereas, it can only guide.

It was the petitioner’s contention that if the same is done, there will not be any problem for a century.

The plea has been filed by Advocate Ardhendumauli Kumar Prasad further seeking direction to the central government to constitute an independent Central Authority for the purpose of administering judicial infrastructure exclusively funded from the Consolidated Funds of India

It is submitted that the PIL is filed in view of the infrastructural deficit in this Court in terms of the space and other infrastructure for the smooth functioning of this Court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Central Government sought time to seek instructions on the issue stating that a comprehensive solution may be found for the problem.

Earlier, the bench had issued notice on March 8, 2022.

The plea has sought the construction of a 'Judicial Vista' in the following manner:

• Construction of a large Multi-Level Complex of Court Rooms with 45 to 50 Court Rooms, with Video Conferencing Facility, and adequate seating facility for the Members of the Bar and the litigants as well as law clerks and interns and proportionate personal chambers for Hon'ble Judges;
• Construction of a Multi-Level Complex having around 5000 chambers for the Senior Advocates, Advocates on Record, Advocates along with requisite facilities;
• Substantial space for the various Officers, Sections and staff of the Registry;
• Underground multi-level parking for about 10,000 cars and other vehicles;
• Office space for Law Officers of the Central Government;
• Dedicated office space for the Standing Counsel for all the states similar to the Central Agency Section;
• Proportionate cubicles for the use of Members of the Bar for conferences, etc;
• Dedicated waiting lounge for women advocates; etc.

Cause Title: Ardhendumauli Kumar Prasad vs The Supreme Court of India & Ors.