India, July 13 -- Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has unveiled a special roster under which four dedicated benches will exclusively hear the Supreme Court's oldest civil and criminal cases, with around 800 long-pending matters identified for expedited disposal in the apex court's first structured docket-management exercise in recent years aimed at institutionalising the disposal of legacy litigation.

The move, which comes as the Supreme Court resumes full functioning after the partial working days during the peak summer months, is expected to accelerate the disposal of some of the court's oldest pending cases.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, the Chief Justice said the initiative was intended to reaffirm public confidence in the jus...