Chief Justice of India Emphasizes Judicial Independence and Women Representation in Bengaluru Conference. At the 21st biennial state-level conference of judicial officers in Karnataka, Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, delivered an inspiring message to the judiciary, urging officers to rule on bail petitions with integrity, devoid of external pressures.
BENGALURU: On Saturday during the 21st biennial state-level conference of judicial officers in Karnataka, Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, delivered an inspiring message to the judiciary, urging officers to rule on bail petitions with integrity, devoid of external pressures. The conference served as a significant platform for discussing the pivotal roles and responsibilities of judicial officers in maintaining justice.
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Justice Chandrachud, leveraging the wisdom of Kannada playwright Shivaram Karanth, encouraged the judiciary to rely on their competence and judgment.
“We should always have confidence in our own abilities. As judicial officers, each one of you must keep these words of Dr Shivaram Karanth in mind. You have been endowed with an important responsibility to do justice without fear or favour,”
he remarked, emphasizing the importance of personal liberty in legal proceedings.
The Chief Justice further stressed the autonomy of the judicial process, particularly in bail decisions, urging officers to
“Have faith in your abilities and do not hesitate to make bold decisions while adjudicating cases before you.”
He reassured them of the support from higher judicial echelons while encouraging self-reliance:
“The branches beneath your wings, ie, the high court and the supreme court, are there to support you but you must also have confidence in your own ability to soar.”
An additional highlight of Justice Chandrachud’s address was the commendation of gender representation within the district judiciary. The Chief Justice remarked positively on the significant female representation, noting that
“almost 37% of the working strength of the district judiciary across India are women.”
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Specifically, he lauded Karnataka for its progressive strides, where
“Of the total working strength of 447 civil judges, 200 judicial officers are women, constituting approximately 44% of the working strength.”
The conference also touched on personal challenges faced by judicial figures. Justice Chandrachud shared an anecdote of experiencing ‘trolling’ and ‘vicious abuse’ on social media for a mundane action during court proceedings, illustrating the personal scrutiny judges can face.
“Twenty-four years of judging can be a little strenuous… I was subject to vicious abuse, but I do believe that our shoulders are broad enough,”
he conveyed, highlighting the resilience required in the judiciary.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, and the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, NV Anjaria, also addressed the gathering. Siddaramaiah reflected on the Indian judicial system’s roots in the teachings of historical figures such as the Buddha, Basavanna, and Narayana Guru. Meanwhile, Chief Justice Anjaria emphasized the critical role of district and taluk judiciary in the legal framework and acknowledged the CJI’s interest in enhancing the judiciary’s physical infrastructure.
The conference underscored the ongoing challenges and progress in the Indian judicial system, from ensuring judicial independence to enhancing diversity and addressing infrastructure needs. It provided a platform for legal officers to engage, reflect, and aspire towards a more robust and equitable judiciary.
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