Supreme Court Judge Justice Narasimha emphasized the need to keep India’s constitutional institutions free from political influence. Speaking at the Justice ES Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture at NLSIU, Bengaluru, he highlighted the importance of protecting the integrity of these institutions. He explained that staying neutral is crucial for these bodies to uphold the Constitution and serve the public fairly.
Bengaluru: Justice PS Narasimha of the Supreme Court of India emphasized the need for India to safeguard the integrity of its constitutional institutions from external, politically motivated interference.
He made these remarks during the Justice ES Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru.
Justice Venkataramiah, who served as the 19th Chief Justice of India, was known for his significant contributions to the judiciary, having authored 256 judgments during his tenure.
In his lecture titled “Reimagining Constitutional Institutions: Integrity, Efficiency, and Accountability,” Justice Narasimha highlighted the importance of establishing safeguards in the appointment, decision-making, and removal processes of leaders in these institutions. He noted that protecting institutional integrity is crucial and that the topic of his lecture is particularly relevant given Justice Venkataramiah’s legacy as a judicial statesman who helped shape and sustain these institutions.
Justice Narasimha discussed the role of “Fourth Branch Institutions,” including the Election Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. He pointed out that the establishment of the Election Commission as an independent body was a significant achievement of India’s constitution-makers, allowing for elections to be held outside the influence of the executive branch.
He stated,
“I am amazed by the foresight of our constitution-makers to provision sub-article (2) to Article 324 to enable appointment of such number of Election Commissioners, over and above the Chief Election Commissioner, to constitute the Commission.”
He also classified non-constitutional bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission and the Central Information Commission as “integrity institutions” that should remain insulated from political pressure.
Justice Narasimha asserted that the Constitution is more than a legal document; it is a tool for social change, delineating clear roles for the executive, legislature, and judiciary, while also allowing for checks and balances through Fourth Branch institutions.
He expressed the need for these institutions to ensure accountability and transparency, particularly emphasizing the role of Information Commissions under the RTI Act.
Despite their importance, he lamented the lack of discourse on public institutions, stating,
“We have collectively failed to re-invigorate and recast some of our institutions which are stuck in an analogue mode in a digital world.”
Justice Narasimha concluded by urging a sustained conversation about the functioning of these institutions, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of India’s democratic framework.