NEW DELHI: 21 former judges of High Courts and Supreme Court, have written a letter to the Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, expressing their serious concerns regarding the escalating attempts by certain factions to undermine the judiciary through calculated pressure, misinformation, and public disparagement.
"It has come to our notice that these elements, motivated by narrow political interests and personal gains, are striving to erode the public’s confidence in our judicial system. Their methods are manifold and insidious, with clear attempts to sway judicial processes by casting aspersions on the integrity of our courts and the judges. Such actions not only disrespect the sanctity of our judiciary but also pose a direct challenge to the principles of fairness and impartiality that Judges, as guardians of the law, have sworn to uphold," the letter from the 21 retired judges, accessed by TNIE, addressed to the CJI, stated.
Among the 21 retired judges who wrote the letter, prominent figures included Justices Deepak Verma, Krishna Murari, Dinesh Maheshwari, and M R Shah.
These judges had also said that they had drawing upon their years of service and experience within the judiciary, expressed their views on this.
The letter further questioned that the strategy employed by these groups is deeply troubling; ranging from the propagation of baseless theories intended to malign the judiciary’s reputation to engaging in overt and covert attempts to influence judicial outcomes to their favour.
"We are particularly concerned about the tactics of misinformation and the orchestration of public sentiment against the judiciary, which are not only unethical but also detrimental to the foundational principles of our democracy," the letter said.
The letter pointed out that the practice of selectively praising judicial decisions that align with one’s views while vehemently criticizing those that do not, undermines the very essence of judicial review and the rule of law.
The judges thereby urged the judiciary, led by the CJI, to fortify against such pressures and to ensure that the sanctity and autonomy of our legal system are preserved.
"It is imperative that the judiciary remains a pillar of democracy, immune to the whims and fancies of transient political interests. We stand in solidarity with the judiciary and are prepared to support in any manner necessary to uphold the dignity, integrity, and impartiality of our judiciary," the letter written by these 21 retired judges, said
The judges sought immediate intervention of the judiciary, while anticipating the SC's (CJI's) resolute guidance and leadership in these challenging times, safeguarding the judiciary as a pillar of justice and equity.
