Supreme Court Breaks Vacation for Urgent Justice

Well, here's something a little out of the ordinary for the Supreme Court's calendar! Even as the much-anticipated winter vacation is set to begin, the apex court has decided it can't quite take a full pause. They've scheduled a special sitting for Friday, December 22nd, specifically to hear those truly urgent matters that simply cannot wait.

You see, the court's winter break officially kicks off on December 18, 2023, and runs right through to January 1, 2024. Most of us would expect everything to be quiet during this period, but justice, it seems, sometimes has other plans. This special session will be presided over by a bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Dipankar Datta, and they'll be conducting proceedings in Court Number 9.

It's quite a significant move, really, showing that even during a scheduled holiday, critical legal issues take precedence. While we're still waiting for the exact 'cause list' – that's the schedule detailing which cases will be heard – the very act of carving out a day during vacation speaks volumes about the urgency of the matters expected.

Now, while it might seem unusual, it's not entirely unprecedented. The Supreme Court has, in fact, convened similar special sittings during its summer vacations in the past when high-priority issues demanded immediate attention. Think back to cases concerning the Manipur violence, the contentious Delhi ordinance, or even crucial NEET PG counselling matters. These instances underscore a consistent judicial commitment to addressing pressing national or public interest issues without unnecessary delay, even if it means foregoing a full holiday.

So, as the main court gears up to resume its regular functions on January 2, 2024, this December 22nd special sitting serves as a timely reminder that for the highest court of the land, the pursuit of justice is often an ongoing, year-round commitment, ensuring that urgent legal concerns don't simply get put on ice.