Can the Chief Justice Answer?

Justice K G Balakrishnan, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is the new Chief Justice of India. Balakrishnan, the 37th Chief Justice, will have a tenure of three years and four months, till May 12, 2010, the day he retires. Chief Justice Sabharwal had a tenure of 14 months while his predecessor Justice R C Lahoti had a 17 month stint.

Born in a poor Dalit family of Thalayolaparambu village in Kottayam district of Kerala on May 12, 1945, Balakrishnan completed his graduation in science, overcoming caste hurdles inherent in Kerala society back then. He completed his law degree from Maharaja's Law College and enrolled himself as an advocate in the Kerala Bar Council in 1968.

He took his B. L. degree from the Maharaja's Law College and enrolled as an advocate in the Kerala Bar Council in 1968. He then completed his LL.M. in 1971.

In 1985, Balakrishnan was appointed as a judge of the Kerala high court and was transferred to the Gujarat high court in 1997. He became the Chief Justice of the Gujarat high court in 1998. In 1999, he assumed charge as the Chief Justice of the high court of judicature at Madras. In 2000, he was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court.

Several of his rulings have had far reaching effects on society. It was he who pronounced the controversial judgment asking the Election Commission to debar the political parties, which impose hartals on the public.

"The forcible strikes by political parties have a very bad effect on common people. You can see how patients, passengers and children suffer during strikes," Justice Balakrishnan said in his ruling.

He is the only Dalit and the only Malayali to become the Chief Justice of India.

He belongs to the Pulaya caste, which was considered to be one of the lower castes in Kerala.

Question-and-Answer Session

Q.1

You had recently announced that around 7,500 new courts will be set up at the Taluka level all across the country to counter the long delays in the final judgment and decreasing conviction. What is the timeline that you can give us with respect to the roll out of the plan, and what are the challenges that have to overcome to see the completion of the roll out at the earliest?

Q.2

There has been a regular war of words emanating between the judiciary and the parliament regarding the interference of judiciary in parliamentary matters. Where do you stand on the issue and how do you respond to the comments made by the parliamentarians?

Q3

The Supreme Court recently intervened in the simmering reservation issue and severely dented the plans of the government to fast track the impletion of the quota system in higher education. How do see the issue panning out in the near future and according to you what is the right way forward?

Q4

Looking at your rise through the current system and speaking as Cameron common man, and also taking your own personal example of your success, what according to you is the pros and cons of reservation?

Q5

The Supreme Court recently refused to order a judicial enquiry into allegations against former Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal, and the campaign launched against him saying it may prejudice the case of journalists held guilty of contempt. Don’t you agree that this judgment protects some offices from the scrutiny of media and in some cases protected from the legal ramifications?

Q6

What is your advice to all the young talent across India who are fighting against all odds to make their dreams come true, what is your words of encouragement to them?

Q7

You are a source of inspiration and strength to many all across India. According to you what is real message that your meteoric rise offers to us all in India?

Q8

The issue of creamy has cropped up again and gain when reservation is discussed and seems to dominate all the debate, the latest being the one in Tamil Nadu. Will the solution to this issue pave the way reservation and its implementation or is there other issue of prime importance that needs to be taken care of?

Q9

What are the hurdles and setbacks that you have had to overcome to get to the position that you have reached today?

Q10

What rulings or any particular case that still stands our for you after all these years and thousands of cases later?

Q11

Where do you see India in the near future?

Q12

How important do you consider the support of friends and family has been in your life?

Q13