The Supreme Court has held vacation courts for the first time, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant himself sitting twice during the winter break to hear urgent matters involving life and liberty, as well as those requiring immediate judicial intervention.
The top court holds vacation benches during longer summer break, which has now been rechristened as partial court working days, but this year was the first instance when the apex court held vacation benches even in a shorter winter break.
The Supreme Court was closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays from December 22 to January 2, 2026. It will reopen on January 5.
Justice Surya Kant, who was sworn in as Chief Justice of India on November 24, had made it clear on December 19 that vacation benches, including him, would sit during the winter break to hear urgent matters.
On December 22, the first day of the winter break, a vacation bench comprising the CJI and Justice Joymalya Bagchi sat to hear 17 urgent matters including several criminal and civil cases.
