History of Supreme Court of India : 2 Feb, 2024

Timeline of Evolution of Supreme Court of India:

• Regulating Act of 1773: Established the Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774 with one Chief Justice and three other judges, marking the inception of formal judicial structure in British India. Sir Elijah Impey was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Calcutta.
• Establishment of Supreme Courts at Madras (1800) and Bombay (1823): King George III established the Supreme Courts at Madras in 1800 and Bombay in 1823, expanding the judicial footprint in India.
• Act of 1823: This act conferred the Supreme Courts at Madras and Bombay with the same powers and duties as the Supreme Court at Fort William in Calcutta, ensuring uniformity in their function and authority.
• Indian High Court Act of 1861: Introduced High Courts in the three presidency towns of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, unifying the judicial system by replacing the Supreme Courts and Sadar Adalats in these regions.
• Government of India Act 1935: Led to the creation of the Federal Court of India, diminishing the role of High Courts as the apex judicial authorities, and establishing a system that could adjudicate both Centre and State laws.
• Post-independence, 1950: The Supreme Court of India was inaugurated on January 28, 1950, succeeding the Federal Court of India and becoming the highest judicial authority in the country, responsible for upholding the constitution and administering justice at the national level.
• 1st CJI after Independence: Hiralal Jekisundas Kania

Why in News:

• Recently Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud addressed a ceremonial bench as the country’s highest court turned 75 years old.