New Delhi

The Supreme Court of India has issued a significant procedural directive stating that “exceptionally urgent matters” must be mentioned only before the bench headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), even if the CJI is presiding over a Constitution bench.

In a circular issued on April 6, the top court clarified that such urgent matters—those that cannot wait for the regular listing process—are to be brought exclusively before Court No. 1.

This marks a departure from the earlier practice, where urgent matters could be mentioned before the seniormost judge available if the CJI was occupied or unavailable.

“Mentioning of exceptionally urgent matters… is permitted before Court No. 1, even when the Hon’ble Chief Justice is presiding over a constitution bench,” the circular stated.

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The court further emphasised that such mentioning will not be allowed before any other bench.