A consortium of legal luminaries, including renowned advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India head Manan Kumar Mishra, has penned a letter to the Chief Justice of India, highlighting perceived attempts by a “vested interest group” to exert undue influence on the judiciary and malign the reputation of the courts for political ends.
In their missive dated March 26, directed to CJI DY Chandrachud, the legal fraternity expressed apprehensions regarding the pressure tactics employed, particularly in cases involving political figures accused of corruption. While refraining from naming specific individuals, the letter intimates a pattern where certain lawyers ostensibly defend politicians by day, only to leverage media platforms at night to sway judicial decisions.
The correspondence, shared by official channels, decries such maneuvers as deleterious to the sanctity of the judiciary and the democratic ethos. It alleges that this interest group fabricates narratives of a bygone era of judicial integrity while disparaging the current state of affairs, all in a bid to influence court proceedings and score political mileage.
The coalition of lawyers, comprising around 600 members, also includes luminaries such as Adish Aggarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla, and Swarupama Chaturvedi. Although no specific cases are cited, the letter’s timing coincides with the handling of several high-profile corruption cases involving opposition leaders.
The communication strongly rebuts allegations of “bench fixing” purportedly peddled by critics, branding such assertions as contemptuous and injurious to the judiciary’s honor. It underscores the imperative of upholding trust and cohesion within the judicial framework and urges CJI Chandrachud to address these concerns expeditiously.
In a sweeping declaration of concern, a coalition comprising eminent legal luminaries, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, has penned a stern letter to the Chief Justice of India, decrying what they perceive as a concerted effort to undermine the Indian judiciary.
The missive, dated March 26 and addressed to CJI DY Chandrachud, alleges the existence of a “vested interest group” wielding influence to exert pressure on the judiciary and besmirch the courts’ reputation with what the lawyers term “frivolous logic and stale political agendas.”
Drawing attention to what they deem as a particularly egregious manifestation of these tactics in cases involving political figures accused of corruption, the legal fraternity warns that such maneuvers pose a grave threat to the integrity of the judicial process and the democratic fabric of the nation.
The letter, endorsed by approximately 600 lawyers, also implicates a segment of legal practitioners, albeit without naming them directly, accusing them of adopting a dual role wherein they defend political figures by day and purportedly seek to sway judicial outcomes through media manipulation by night.
Moreover, the missive takes aim at what it describes as a concerted effort to cast aspersions on the judiciary’s integrity, alleging that certain elements are engaging in a campaign to vilify the courts and impugn their credibility for political gain.
The timing of these alleged attacks, the lawyers contend, is particularly suspect, coming as they do on the eve of impending elections, reminiscent of similar tactics employed during previous electoral cycles.
In light of these perceived threats, the legal fraternity implores the Supreme Court to stand firm and take proactive measures to safeguard the judiciary’s autonomy and shield it from undue external influences.
The letter, which underscores the need for judicial resilience in the face of mounting pressure, serves as a clarion call for the preservation of the judiciary’s hallowed traditions and unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law.
“Remaining silent or passive in the face of such challenges risks inadvertently empowering those intent on undermining the judiciary. This is no moment for dignified silence, especially considering that such nefarious efforts have persisted for several years, with increasing frequency,” they emphasized. They further underscored the pivotal role of the Chief Justice of India’s leadership in navigating these tumultuous times, highlighting the importance of decisive action in upholding the sanctity of the legal system.