21 Retired Judges Urge CJI Chandrachud To Address Attempts To Undermine Judiciary

A letter was sent to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Sunday by a group of 21 retired judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts regarding the escalating attempts to undermine the judiciary through calculated pressure, misinformation, and public disparagement by certain factions.

The letter, which was addressed to the CJI, highlighted concerns about efforts aimed at eroding public confidence in the judicial system and questioned the motivations of critics perceived to be driven by narrow political interests and personal gains.

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21 Retired Judges Write A Letter To CJI Chandrachud

The incidents that prompted the retired judges to communicate with the CJI were not explicitly specified in the letter. Notably, the letter was issued amidst a contentious exchange of words between the ruling BJP and opposition parties regarding actions taken against some opposition leaders in corruption cases.

In response to affected leaders and their parties seeking legal remedies through the courts, the BJP has frequently accused them of selectively using judicial decisions to advance their agendas and cited instances where relief was not granted to arrested leaders as a rebuttal to opposition criticisms.

The retired judges, including former justices Deepak Verma, Krishna Murari, Dinesh Maheshwari, and M R Shah, criticized the tactics employed by certain critics, alleging insidious methods intended to influence judicial processes by casting doubts on the integrity of courts and judges.

The retired judges emphasized the importance of upholding principles of fairness and impartiality within the judiciary, asserting that actions undermining these principles pose a direct challenge to the sanctity of the judicial system.

The letter highlighted troubling strategies used by certain groups, ranging from spreading baseless theories to tarnish the judiciary's reputation to engaging in overt and covert attempts to influence judicial outcomes in their favor. The retired judges expressed concern that these behaviors are particularly evident in cases of significant social, economic, and political importance, including those involving specific individuals. They pointed out that such tactics blur the lines between advocacy and manipulation, potentially compromising judicial independence.

The retired judges underscored their concern about the spread of misinformation and the orchestration of public sentiment against the judiciary. They criticized the practice of selectively praising judicial decisions that align with personal views while vehemently criticizing those that do not, asserting that such practices undermine the core principles of judicial review and the rule of law.

In conclusion, the retired judges urged the judiciary, led by the Supreme Court, to fortify itself against unwarranted pressures and to safeguard the sanctity and autonomy of the legal system. They emphasized the judiciary's role as a cornerstone of democracy, calling for it to remain immune to the transient whims and fancies of political interests.