Yesterday, On 29th June, Chief Justice Chandrachud warned against equating the court with a temple and judges with gods, stating it poses a “grave danger.” Speaking at the Regional Conference of the National Judicial Academy in Kolkata, he emphasized that such perceptions could lead to significant risks.
Kolkata: Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Saturday highlighted the significant risk in referring to the Court as a “temple of justice” and likening judges to gods, emphasizing that judges are meant to serve the public interest.
During a conference on Contemporary Judicial Developments in Kolkata, CJI Chandrachud remarked,
“Constitutional morality represents the Court system’s dedication to institutional principles.”
Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud recently expressed concern over the frequent use of titles such as “Honour,” “Lordship,” or “Ladyship,” and the description of the court as a “temple of justice.”
Read Also: CJI Underlines “Constitutional Morality, Diversity, & Technology” in the Judiciary
He stated,
“There is a very grave danger when people say that the court is a temple of justice. There is a grave danger that we perceive ourselves as the deities in those temples.”
CJI Chandrachud mentioned that he feels uncomfortable when the court is referred to as a temple of justice because it implies that judges hold the position of deities.
He added,
“I would rather recast the role of the judge as a server of the people. And when you regard yourselves as people who are there to serve others, then you bring in the notion of compassion, of empathy, of judging but not being judgmental about others,”
He further emphasized the significance of the word “contemporary” in relation to the challenges faced by judges today.
He explained,
“This conference speaks on Contemporary Judicial Developments and strengthening justice through law and technology. The word ‘contemporary’ is very important because it does not speak about the work which we do in the abstract, but in the context of contemporary societal challenges which we as judges face in the work we do. We, therefore, look at the law and its intersection with technology from the perspective of the societal conditions in which those whom we serve exist in our societies because the true merit of our work lies in addressing challenges faced by those at whose feet we are intended to servethe common citizens of India,”
Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud elaborated on the diversity within India’s federal structure, stating,
“I was born in Mumbai and belong to a small village located 60-70 kilometers away from Pune. The work as judges we do in Delhi is to realize the importance of preserving the diversity of India.”
He reflected on the concept of constitutional morality, noting that it is rooted in the enduring values set out in the Constitution and its Preamble.
CJI Chandrachud emphasized,
“Constitutional morality addresses itself to every component of society. The Constitution is not merely a dialogue between the states and its citizens, or between the Union and the states, or among the states themselves. It is a dialogue within and between societies.”
Highlighting the role of compassion in the judiciary, he said,
“Even while sentencing anyone in a criminal case, judges do so with a sense of compassion, as ultimately, a human being is being sentenced. These concepts of constitutional morality are crucial not just for the judges of the Supreme Court or the High Court but also for the district judiciary, as the engagement of common citizens begins first and foremost with the district judiciary.”
CJI Chandrachud also highlighted the importance of technology in judicial processes, identifying language as a significant barrier to accessing and understanding verdicts.
He stated,
“Technology can provide us with some answers. Most judgments are written in English. Technology has enabled us to translate them. We are translating 51,000 judgments into other languages.”
In summary, CJI Chandrachud’s remarks highlights the need for a judiciary that remains grounded in service to the people, guided by constitutional values, and bolstered by the use of technology to overcome barriers and meet contemporary societal challenges.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
