Article 130 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Seat of Supreme Court
📜 Text of Article 130:
“The Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places, as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint.”
✅ Explanation of Article 130:
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Primary Seat – Delhi:
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The default and permanent seat of the Supreme Court is in New Delhi, the capital of India.
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Provision for Additional Seats:
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The Chief Justice of India (CJI) has the power to allow the Supreme Court to sit in other places, but only:
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With the approval of the President of India.
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Purpose of Flexibility:
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Allows for the possibility of holding Supreme Court benches outside Delhi to improve access to justice across India — although no additional bench has yet been established.
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🏛️ Why Article 130 Is Important:
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Ensures centralized functioning of the Supreme Court at the national capital.
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Also provides constitutional flexibility to set up regional benches if needed in future.
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Helps address the issue of accessibility and distance faced by litigants from far-off states.
🔎 Debates & Demands:
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There have been long-standing demands for regional benches of the Supreme Court in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata to reduce travel and expenses for litigants.
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But no alternate benches have been established yet, as the CJI and President must agree.
🧾 Example:
If the Chief Justice of India proposes that a temporary bench of the Supreme Court sit in Hyderabad to hear regional cases, it can be done only if the President of India approves it, as per Article 130.
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