Delhi High Court at 60: CJI Surya Kant hails its contribution to civil and commercial law
At the anniversary celebrations, the Chief Justice of India said the court’s work eases the Supreme Court’s burden, while speakers reflected on its growth from four judges to an institution handling complex and far-reaching disputes.
(Judicial Quest News Network)
NEW DELHI, October 30, 2026 — The Delhi High Court began marking six decades of its establishment on Friday, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant praising the institution for strengthening India’s civil and commercial jurisprudence and shouldering a substantial share of the Supreme Court’s caseload.
Speaking at the inaugural event, CJI Kant recalled that the court began with just four judges. Over the years, he said, it has developed into a forum that resolves disputes of striking variety and complexity.
He described its contribution to civil and commercial law as significant, and said the Supreme Court shares a special relationship with the Delhi High Court not simply because the two institutions are close to one another, but because the High Court’s work helps relieve pressure on the apex court.
Kant said Supreme Court judges sometimes remind lawyers seeking urgent intervention that the Delhi High Court is nearby and may be able to grant relief before a matter reaches the Supreme Court.
His remarks underscored the High Court’s practical role in the country’s judicial system deciding matters within its jurisdiction while helping ensure that disputes are addressed at the appropriate level.
The celebrations also highlighted the court’s expanding reach and specialised work. Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath noted that the Delhi High Court regularly deals with matters whose significance extends beyond the National Capital Territory.
Separate coverage of the event also highlighted the court’s Intellectual Property Division and its court-annexed Arbitration Centre as examples of its specialised institutional work.
Delhi High Court Bar Association President N. Hariharan turned attention to the court’s legacy in difficult times. Referring to Justice H.R. Khanna, one of the High Court’s original four judges, Hariharan said institutions are measured not by their numbers but by how they act when circumstances are difficult.
He described the 60-year milestone as a diamond jubilee and said the court had “held firm” under pressure.
Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre brought the focus back to the people who seek justice.
The true measure of the judicial system, he said, is how swiftly and transparently the person at the end of the queue receives what is due.
He urged the legal community to make the distance between law and justice as short as possible.
The Delhi High Court was established on October 31, 1966, under the Delhi High Court Act, 1966. Before its establishment, Delhi’s cases were handled by the Punjab High Court through a circuit bench.
The new court began with Chief Justice K.S. Hegde and Justices I.D. Dua, H.R. Khanna and S.K. Kapur.
Six decades later, the anniversary celebrations offered both a look back at that modest beginning and a reminder of the responsibilities that come with the institution’s reach: delivering timely justice, managing complex disputes and serving as a vital part of India’s court system.
