Over 600 lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra have written to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud expressing concern on what they perceive as a threat to the judiciary’s integrity.
The lawyers from across the country condemned the vested interest group attempting to manipulate judicial processes, influence court decisions, and tarnish the reputation of the judiciary with baseless allegations and political agendas.
The letter asserted that these tactics are particularly evident in cases involving political figures accused of corruption, where efforts to sway court decisions and discredit the judiciary are most pronounced.
It further mentioned that one of the alarming tactics is the alleged fabrication of false narratives aimed at portraying a skewed view of the judiciary’s functioning, with comparisons to a purported golden age of the courts. The lawyers pointed out that such narratives are intended to influence judicial outcomes and erode public trust in the judiciary.
The letter further raised concerns about the concocted theory of bench fixing, wherein attempts are made to influence the composition of judicial benches and cast aspersions on the integrity of the judges. The lawyers expressed that these actions are not only disrespectful but also damaging to the rule of law and the principles of justice.
It noted that these practices have also stooped to the level of comparing courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions with unfair practices. It added that these are not just criticisms, but direct attacks meant to damage the public’s trust in judiciary and threaten the fair application of laws.
Furthermore, the lawyers also expressed dismay over the phenomenon of political flip-flopping, where politicians switch stances on legal matters depending on their interests, thereby undermining the credibility of the legal system.
The lawyers also alleged that it is strange to see politicians accuse someone of corruption and then defend them in court. They mentioned that if the court’s decision does not go the politicians way, they quickly criticise the courts inside the court as well as through the media. They added that this two-faced behaviour is harmful to the respect a common man should have for legal system.
They also alleged that some elements are trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on the judges to decide in a particular way.
In addition, the lawyers asserted that the timing of their modus operandi also merits closer scrutiny, as they do it at very strategic timings, when the nation is all set to head into elections. The lawyers demanded the Supreme Court to take firm measures to protect the judiciary from external pressures and uphold the rule of law.
They further expressed that staying silent or doing nothing could accidentally give more power to those who mean to do harm. They concluded that this is not the time to maintain dignified silence as such efforts are happening for a few years and too frequently.