A petition files by Advocate Maheravish Rein requsting Standard of Operating (S0P) to allow citizens to reach at the doorstep of the Courts at any time of hour, day or night. A three judge bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and V. on 14 July, 2026.
The petitioner contended that tranditional court system have limited hours to adjudicate on matters, arguing that justice sysytem feels t be inadequate when it observed through the eyes of emrgency like late night arrest, demolition drives, unauthorised deportion. People has no means to approch the court at this hour, Court is bounded by tickling of clocks. The Adocate also grim a pictureof current reality for litigatants who often faces issues after court hour. She said “if I file a case after 6 p.m then next morning my clerk is in front of registry telling them it’s an emegent case”. Petitioner argued that cureent framework is largely designed for standard litgation. Petition draw the attention of toward Article 21, which guarantee Right to Life and Liberty which infringes by setting bar dy denying justice out of court working hours. In a democratic country where there is rule of law so how law can sleep in night.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to consider and frame Standard of Operating (SOP) to allow citizens to visit court at any time if there is any grave issue affecting threat to life and liberty. Supreme Court closely acknowledges the constitutional significance of plea by accepting impementation of justice 24×7. With acknowleding the concern also increased, the amount of pressure on Registrar and strictly demcration of line between urgent case and non-urgent cases. CJI pointed on the framework if court start addressing late in night then many cases could files but which cases is in jeopardy i.e affecting personal liberty and Fundamental Right.
Mr. Rein sumitted that ” The present framework of court largely restricts access to justice during usual court hours, working days and limited vacation benches. Consequences, violation of individual’s liberty and fundamental right cannot be addresses during late nights, weekends or public holiday.
Soliticitor General Tushar Mehta said preparation of SOP would be taken by Supreme Court on its administrative rather than judicial side and CJI also mentioned that State High Courts didn’t fall into the category of Adminstrative ambit of Apex Court.
