[BREAKING] CJI Chandrachud: "Retiring Judges Must Take Time Before Joining Politics"

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud stated Yesterday (August 7th) that there should be a mandatory ‘cooling-off’ period for retired High Court and Supreme Court judges before they enter politics.

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[BREAKING] CJI Chandrachud: "Retiring Judges Must Take Time Before Joining Politics"

NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has called for a ‘cooling-off’ period for retired High Court and Supreme Court judges before they enter politics.

Speaking in an interview with Media on Wednesday, CJI Chandrachud said,

“After retiring as a judge, one should take some time before joining politics. Even if one decides to join politics, there should be a sufficient gap.”

He voiced concerns about maintaining the judiciary’s perception of impartiality and dignity post-retirement.

“Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. If a judge retires today and joins a political party tomorrow, it could raise questions among the public,”

-he emphasized.

Judges Need Breaks to Function Effectively

Addressing criticism regarding the lengthy holidays enjoyed by courts, the Chief Justice clarified that a judge’s responsibilities extend far beyond courtroom hours.

“People think that a case is heard for two minutes and a decision is made. However, judges spend hours reading and preparing for cases,”

-he explained.

He highlighted the intense workload, especially with constitutional cases, arguing that breaks are essential for the judiciary to function effectively.

Tensions Between the Supreme Court and the Centre

On the issue of reported tensions between the government and the judiciary over judicial appointments, CJI Chandrachud underlined the need for collaboration within the constitutional framework.

He noted that the appointment process involves multiple stakeholders, including the central and state governments and the collegium.

“In a mature judiciary system, if there is an objection from the centre or the state, we discuss it. The administrative discussions with the government regarding the appointment of judges should not be broken,”

-he stated.

Language Barriers in Courts for Common Folks

When questioned about the use of Hindi or local languages in High Court and Supreme Court proceedings, CJI Chandrachud acknowledged the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens due to language barriers and costs.

He expressed support for conducting court work in regional languages but pointed out the practical challenges given India’s diverse linguistic landscape.

“We need a common language that everyone understands, which is why the work is done in English,”

-he said, noting ongoing efforts to make the system more accessible.

Impact of AI on Judiciary

Discussing the potential of artificial intelligence to transform the judiciary, CJI Chandrachud highlighted the significant changes already brought by Information Technology.

“Look at the courts from 1950, 1980, and now. Everything has changed. We want to bring improvements in the registry using AI. It takes a person three hours to a day to read and correct errors in a 500-page petition. AI can do this in one minute. We have signed a MoU with IIT Madras,”

-he shared.

However, he cautioned against over-reliance on AI, stressing the irreplaceable value of human judgment in legal matters.

“AI cannot replace the humanity a judge brings to the process,”

-he asserted.

Infrastructure Challenges and Judicial Accountability

CJI Chandrachud also addressed the issue of inadequate infrastructure in various courts, where the accused and victims often sit together.

He pointed out that in many district courts, multiple trials occur simultaneously in one room with one judge.

“Unless state governments invest, how can improvements be made?”

-he asked.

He announced plans for a new Supreme Court building, noting that the existing one, built in 1950, was originally designed for five courts but now houses 17.

The new building will have 27 courts, anticipated to suffice for the next 75-100 years.

“It is not fair to blame the government for everything. The High Court also has a responsibility to inform the government of its needs,”

-he remarked.

Solution for the Falsely Implicated

Responding to concerns about cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and similar laws, where accused individuals often languish in jail during lengthy trials only to be acquitted later, CJI Chandrachud stated-

“The Supreme Court always says that it is wrong to keep someone in custody even for a day longer than necessary.”

He addressed the simplification of the First Information Report filing process, dismissing concerns that it would overwhelm the courts. Instead, he argued for expanding judicial resources and infrastructure to adapt.

He stressed the importance of making the judicial system more accessible, especially for vulnerable groups like women, children, and the elderly.