The year 2023 saw the Supreme Court form Constitution Benches almost back-to-back to hear long-pending and contentious cases like the abrogation of Article 370, same-sex marriage and demonetisation, but the results have left petitioners disappointed.
The petitioners have either simply failed in court or the court’s directions were subverted by the government through amendments of laws or sheer delay in implementation.
On paper, the statistics on Constitution Benches look impressive. The pendency of five-judge Constitution Bench cases was reduced from 36 to 19 between January 1, 2023 to December 15, 2023. Dates were notified for hearing six cases before seven-judge Benches and five before nine-judge Benches. The Supreme Court credited its “strenuous effort” for the achievement.
