NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday set up a special ‘Social Justice Bench’ to exclusively hear cases concerning social issues, particularly those related to women, children and underprivileged, stating that there was a need to have specialised approach for dealing with these matters. Chief Justice of India H L Dattu constituted the Bench and emphasised that the judiciary needs to be proactive to ensure early disposal of such cases. The Bench will assemble every Friday at 2 pm from December 12. The bench will comprise justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit. Not only pending but fresh cases will also be heard by the Bench.
“In the Supreme Court, several cases relating to the domain of social justice are pending for several years. Chief Justice is of the view that these cases shall be given a specialised approach for their early disposal,” said a statement by the apex court.
“Under the domain of social justice, several cases highlighting social issues are included. To mention about the release of surplus foodgrains lying in stocks for the use of people living in drought-affected areas, to frame a fresh scheme for public distribution of foodgrains, to take steps to prevent untimely death of women and children for want of nutritious food... to provide night shelter to destitute and homeless, to provide medical facilities to all citizens irrespective of their economic condition, to provide hygienic drinking water, to provide safety and secure living condition for the fair gender who are forced into prostitution etc.
“These are some of the areas where the Constitution mechanism has to play a proactive role,” it added.