CJI Surya Kant Works 17–18 Hours A Day:  On April 19, new additional court buildings and a guest house for the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court were inaugurated at the Madurai district court. The event was attended by several senior judges, including the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant. Supreme Court judge M.M. Sundresh spoke about the challenges and hard work involved in the role.

Speaking in Tamil, Justice Sundresh said that being the Chief Justice of such a vast country was not easy. Highlighting CJI Surya Kant’s routine, he mentioned that the CJI works 17 to 18 hours a day, sleeps around 3 AM, and wakes up again at 7 AM.

What CJI Said About Lower Courts

According to reports by Bar and Bench, CJI Surya Kant emphasized the central role of lower courts in India’s judicial system. He said that while the Supreme Court and High Courts shape the law, district courts give it real meaning in people’s daily lives. For most citizens, district courts are the first and often the only point of access to justice, making them the backbone of the justice delivery system.

He stressed that physical access to courts is crucial. If courts are too far from citizens, it effectively denies them justice. He also noted that well-designed courtrooms promote discipline and uphold the dignity of judicial proceedings.

Justice J.K. Maheshwari added that justice is not a privilege but a sacred duty of the system, which must be delivered fairly and without fear or bias.

New Infrastructure at Madurai Bench

Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari shared details about the new infrastructure. Established in 1813, the Madurai district judiciary is among the oldest in the country. A new complex with 18 court halls has been built at a cost of ₹166 crore. Additionally, a new guest house costing ₹17.6 crore has been constructed at the Madurai Bench to accommodate visiting judges and ensure smooth judicial functioning.