21 retired judges write to CJI

A collective of 21 retired judges from the Supreme Court and high courts has penned a letter to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, expressing grave concerns over mounting efforts by certain factions to undermine the judiciary through calculated pressure, misinformation, and public disparagement.

The retired judges, which include four from the apex court, assert that these critics are driven by narrow political agendas and personal motives, aiming to diminish public trust in the judicial system. Although the letter refrains from specifying particular incidents, it coincides with heightened tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition parties regarding actions taken against certain opposition figures in corruption cases.

As affected leaders and their parties seek legal recourse, the BJP has repeatedly alleged selective judicial rulings and highlighted instances where relief was not granted to arrested leaders, countering opposition accusations. The retired judges, including Justices Deepak Verma, Krishna Murari, Dinesh Maheshwari, and M R Shah, condemn these critics for employing covert tactics to influence judicial proceedings and tarnish the reputation of courts and judges.

The letter highlights the troubling strategy adopted by these groups, ranging from spreading unfounded theories to manipulate judicial outcomes in their favor. Particularly concerning is their interference in cases of social, economic, and political significance, blurring the lines between advocacy and manipulation to the detriment of judicial independence.

The retired judges express apprehension about the tactics of misinformation and the manipulation of public sentiment against the judiciary, emphasizing the importance of impartiality in judicial review and upholding the rule of law. They call upon the judiciary, led by the Supreme Court, to safeguard against such pressures and uphold the sanctity and autonomy of the legal system.

They stress the crucial role of the judiciary as a pillar of democracy, urging it to remain immune to transient political interests. Earlier, on March 28, 600 lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, voiced similar concerns to the Chief Justice, highlighting the actions of a specific interest group tarnishing the judiciary’s image.