Legal luminary Harish Salve criticizes Ex-CJI Sanjiv Khanna’s decision to form an in-house committee and calls for a CBI investigation, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the burnt cash scandal.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
In a recent interview on Republic Media Network, Padma Bhushan Harish Salve, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court and former Solicitor General of India, shared his perspective on a highly debated topic: should court proceedings in India be live-streamed?
During the interview with Arnab Goswami, Salve highlighted the delicate relationship between the judiciary and public opinion.
“The Supreme Court commands neither the sword nor the purse. It has no armies, it has no treasury. Its only source of strength is public opinion,”
he remarked.
He stressed that, unlike other branches of government, the judiciary’s power depends entirely on the trust and confidence of the people rather than executive authority or financial resources.
Salve expressed concern over changing attitudes towards India’s courts. He recalled a time when even prominent political leaders, including Indira Gandhi, refrained from defying court orders due to the public’s respect for judicial authority.
“People of India feel these are our courts, this is our Constitution, this is how the system should work,”
he said.
This trust, he explained, is what gives the judiciary its moral authority and ensures that its decisions are respected.
Harish Salve also offered advice for young legal professionals:
“A lawyer should never judge themselves solely by the outcome of a case. Always be your own toughest critic — it keeps the ego in check.”
His advice emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, continuous learning, and integrity in the legal profession.
The discussion also touched on live-streaming court hearings in India, a move aimed at improving transparency. Salve highlighted the delicate balance required:
- Pros: Greater public access, accountability, and understanding of judicial processes.
- Cons: Risk of sensationalism, public pressure on judges, and potential compromise of judicial independence.
Addressing the controversial burnt cash scandal, Salve criticized the decision to rely on an in-house committee instead of involving investigative agencies.
“Why an in-house committee? Then CJI Sanjiv Khanna made a mistake. He should have just asked the CBI to probe, keeping the Supreme Court in the loop,”
Salve said.
This statement highlights his view that independent investigations enhance transparency and public trust in sensitive cases.
In a lighter segment of the conversation, Harish Salve’s trademark wit had the audience in splits. When Arnab Goswami suggested that he would make a great minister, Salve replied with a smile:
“I can afford to be irresponsible. That’s why I don’t like being a minister or a judge.”
When Goswami insisted he’d make a wonderful minister, Salve quickly added:
“No, I wouldn’t be. I would be irresponsible in what I say. I’d bring my government down within 48 hours.”
The humorous exchange earned applause and laughter, showcasing the Senior Advocate’s humility and self-awareness beyond his courtroom persona.
Salve also shared guidance for aspiring legal professionals:
“A lawyer should never judge themselves solely by the outcome of a case. Always be your own toughest critic — it keeps the ego in check.”
His advice emphasizes self-reflection, integrity, and continuous learning as key qualities for future advocates.
He stressed the importance of self-critique and intellectual honesty:
“If you want to improve in life, always be your own most trenchant critic. It keeps the ego down.”
