CJI ​TS Thakur breaks down before PM Modi, laments govt's 'inaction' in raising number of judges

New Delhi: In a rare display of emotion, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur on Sunday broke down to tears during his speech at Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts in Delhi.

Thakur, who was addressing the gathering, got emotional while saying that criticism of judiciary for delay is unfair.

"It is not enough to criticise, you cannot shift the entire burden to the judiciary. If you compare performances of our judges to the other countries, we are head and shoulder above them," he said.

WATCH: Chief Justice of India TS Thakur breaks down during his speech at Jt conference of CMs and CJ of HCs in Delhihttps://t.co/xD1tro8rmX — ANI (@ANI_news) April 24, 2016

"Speeches have been made in past, peoplel have spoken in conference, there's been debate in Parliament. But, I think nothing really appears to be moving," he added.

Talking about differences in Centre and State governments, he said "Centre says, yes,we commit ourselves but its state govts responsibility, state govt says let Centre provide funds. While this tug of war goes on, judge strength remains where it is, 38 lakh cases remain where they are." 

Thakur added that the judiciary was stuck as 38 lakh cases remain where they are."In 1987, the requirement was 40,000 judges. From 1987 till now, we have added 25 crore in terms of population. We have grown into one of the fastest growing economies of the world, we are inviting foreign direct investment into the country, we want people to come and make in India, we want people to come and invest in India," the CJI said.

In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present in the conference, said that he understood the Chief Justice`s concern and added that that going forward, he hoped that the Government and the Judiciary could work together to find solutions to these issues. 

(With ANI inputs)