India appoints new Supreme Court chief justice who will retire soon

@ANI/ Twitter

Uday Umesh Lalit was sworn in on Saturday as India's Chief Justice for the Supreme Court, though he is only set to hold the post for 74 days as his retirement is due in November.

Under India's constitution, Supreme Court justices are required to retire aged 65 years.

The chief justice is appointed by the president according to seniority.

Earlier this month, Lalit's predecessor Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said 65 "was too early to retire" for a judge.

An estimated 45 million cases are pending in Indian courts according to the National Judicial Data Grid.

The slow disposal was mainly due to a shortage of judges, with some 5,000 positions lying vacant in the lower judiciary, and 400 vacant position for high court judges.

The Supreme Court currently has around 30 judges, and there are four vacancies.

More from International News

On Virgin Radio today

  • The Kris Fade Show

    7:00am - 10:00am

    Kris, Priti and Rossi host the UAE's biggest radio show. It's full of fun, laughs and it's Where The Stars Live.

  • Hit 500 with Eddie

    10:00am - 2:00pm

    The UAE's favourite songs counted down...

Trending on Virgin Radio

  • BRED Abu Dhabi

    BRED Abu Dhabi, Presented by Hypebeast, is back April 24-28 in Yas Bay. The line up is next level and locked in.

  • Untold Dubai

    It arrived: The UAE's First Mega Music Festival at Expo City Dubai!

  • Jason Derulo on the Kris Fade Show!

    The super-star and multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, Jason Derulo is bringing the heat to Dubai.

  • Middle East Hot 30

    Every weekend Kris Fade plays the biggest tracks in the Middle East. Check out this weeks chart...