More than 600 lawyers from across India have come together to address a letter to the Chief Justice of India, raising serious concerns about political and professional pressures that they allege are undermining the integrity of the judiciary.
The letter, titled ‘Judiciary under threat – safeguarding judiciary from political and professional pressure’, carries the signatures of prominent legal figures including senior advocate Harish Salve, Manan Kumar Mishra, Adish Agarwal, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, and Swaroopama Chaturvedi, among others.
At the heart of their concerns lies the assertion of a specific interest group’s actions aimed at influencing judicial outcomes, particularly in cases involving political figures and corruption allegations. The lawyers accuse this group of employing pressure tactics, which they argue pose a significant threat to the democratic fabric and erode public trust in judicial processes.
The letter highlights several troubling methods employed by the alleged pressure group. One such method involves the propagation of false narratives about a purported ‘golden era’ of the judiciary, with the intent of discrediting current proceedings and undermining public confidence in the courts. Additionally, the lawyers condemn accusations of ‘bench fixing’ and disrespectful comparisons of Indian courts to those in countries lacking the rule of law.
Moreover, the lawyers express concerns about selective criticism or praise of court decisions based on political agendas, describing it as a “My way or the highway” approach. They also raise alarms about political flip-flopping, where politicians alternately accuse individuals of corruption and defend them in court, suggesting manipulation of the judicial process.
The letter further alleges the use of underhand tactics and dissemination of false information to influence judicial appointments and outcomes, particularly during election periods. In response to these threats, senior members of the bar have called upon the Supreme Court to take protective measures to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary.
