Chief Justice Inaugurates 20th Anniversary of Madurai Bench

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud inaugurated the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. The event highlighted the Bench's role in supporting the Delhi High Court with data and software backup. Various dignitaries, including Supreme Court judges, attended the event.

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Saturday inaugurated the vigentennial celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. He commended the Bench for its vital contributions, notably serving as a repository of data and software backup for the Delhi High Court.

The Chief Justice noted that this year, the Delhi High Court established a Disaster Recovery Centre at the Madurai Bench to ensure regular data and software backups. 'So, Delhi has to look towards Tamil Nadu for a solution if it faces problems,' Chandrachud remarked in a lighter vein.

The CJI unveiled the Vigentennial Stupa at the Madurai Bench via video conference. The event at the Madurai Convention Centre attracted numerous distinguished guests, including Supreme Court judges: Justice B R Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, Justice M M Sundresh, Justice K V Viswanathan, and Justice R Mahadevan.

Madras High Court Acting Chief Justice D Krishnakumar and Justices R Suresh Kumar, S S Sundar, and R Subramanian, along with Advocate General of Tamil Nadu P S Raman, and Additional Solicitor General of India A R L Sunderesan, were also present. Justice Sundresh unveiled a new name board for the Madurai Bench.

In his address, CJ Chandrachud emphasized that establishing the Bench was not just about infrastructure but about creating traditions and conventions essential for judicial work. Over the last 20 years, the Madurai Bench has become a true representative of the venerable traditions of the Madras High Court, he added.

On the issue of entry-level juniors receiving low salaries, Chandrachud urged for better pay, pointing out that lower salaries lead to 'gatekeeping' of the profession. He emphasized that there is much to learn from junior lawyers, and paying them a meager Rs 5,000 per month is insufficient.