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SC seeks govt replies on plea for Revenue Judicial Service
The Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and all states/UTs on a PIL seeking the establishment of a Revenue Judicial Service to adjudicate land disputes. The bench cautioned about legislative competence and noted prior Allahabad HC findings, while adding the Law Commission as a party and scheduling further hearings in four weeks.
Why It Matters
If established, a Revenue Judicial Service could change how land disputes are adjudicated by officials with minimum legal qualifications, potentially affecting consistency of rulings and access to justice.
Timeline
2 Events
SC issues notice in PIL seeking Revenue Judicial Service; requests Centre and states/UTs to respond
April 30, 2026
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice on the public interest litigation filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The court asked the Centre and all states/UTs to respond and cautioned about questions of legislative competence. Upadhyay argued in person, noting the Allahabad High Court's 2005 Chandra Bhan judgment and urging implementation. He argued that about 66% of civil cases relate to land disputes handled by officers without legal training, leading to erroneous decisions and higher litigation. The court noted the need to examine responses from the Centre, states/UTs, and the Law Commission of India, which is added as a party, and posted the matter for four weeks to hear those responses.
Allahabad High Court 2005 Chandra Bhan case referenced by PIL
2005
The Allahabad High Court judgment in Chandra Bhan vs Deputy Director of Consolidation, Gorakhpur (2005) recognized that authorities tasked with adjudication of land disputes perform a judicial function and involve complex questions of law.