Consider the following statements: 1. The Parliament cannot enlarge the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India as its jurisdiction is limited to that conferred by the Constitution. 2. The officers and servants of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed by the concerned Chief Justice and the administrative expenses are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. Which of the statements is/are correct?

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Constitution allows Parliament to enact laws regulating the Supreme Court and to confer additional powers (for example, Parliament may enact laws conferring further appellate jurisdiction in criminal matters), so Parliament can enlarge the Court’s jurisdiction within constitutional limits rather than being absolutely barred from doing so [2]. Statement 2 is also incorrect. Officers and servants of the Supreme Court and the High Courts are appointed by the respective Judges/bench of the Courts (not solely by the Chief Justice), and administrative expenses of High Courts are charged to the Consolidated Fund of the State while the Supreme Court’s expenses are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. Therefore neither statement is correct.

Sources

1. [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 22: THE SUPREME COURT > THE SUPREME COURT > p. 349
2. [2] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 22: THE SUPREME COURT > THE SUPREME COURT > p. 339