SC to set up special benches for criminal, tax, land cases

THE DECISION IS IN LINE WITH THE MOVE BY FORMER CJI HL DATTU, WHO IN 2015 SET UP A SPECIAL BENCH FOR TAX CASES IN ORDER TO REDUCE PILING OF CASES

DELHI: Four special benches will start functioning in the Supreme Court from next week to hear criminal appeals, direct and indirect tax and land acquisition matters and motor accident claim cases, Chief Justice of India Justice (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said on Wednesday, announcing yet another reform in the new regime as the head of the administration in the top court.

The CJI, who was sharing the bench with justices Hima

Kohli and JB Pardiwala, informed about the constitution of special benches at the outset of the proceedings in court number one when lawyers were queuing up for mentioning cases for urgent listing.

“From next week, there would be special benches for criminal appeals, direct and indirect tax matters, land acquisition matters and motor accidents claims tribunal matters,” the CJI said.

When a lawyer mentioned a matter pertaining to land acquisition, he said, “If I am not mistaken, Justice Surya Kant’s Bench will be hearing the land acquisition matter.” On Tuesday, the CJI had announced that a special bench will be set up from next week to exclusively deal with tax cases.