Justice Pankaj Mithal, a retiring judge of the Supreme Court, warned that the growing judicial pendency threatens the lives and liberties of millions. Speaking at a farewell function organised by the Bar Association, he also cautioned against excessive reliance on artificial intelligence in legal practice.
Key Developments
- He described judicial pendency as a human story, not just a statistic; each pending file affects a family, an under‑trial or a commercial concern.
- He highlighted that constitutional courts now confront issues of governance, technology, liberty, economic regulation, social justice and constitutional morality.
- He stressed that infrastructure alone cannot cure delays; a disciplined institutional culture, efficiency and sensitivity are equally essential.
- He warned that unchecked use of artificial intelligence is leading to inaccurate pleadings, false citations and careless drafting.
- He urged lawyers to act as peacemakers, promoting reconciliation, affordable and simple justice – “sulabh, sasta and saral”.
Important Facts
- Born on 17 June 1961 in Meerut; enrolled with the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh in 1985.
- Elevated as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court on 7 July 2006.
- Served as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh from 4 January 2021 and of Rajasthan High Court from 14 October 2022.
- Joined the