CJI DY Chandrachud Asserts Independence of Judiciary, Discusses Social Media Impact and Judicial Challenges

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud recently addressed concerns about political interference in the judiciary, asserting that he has never experienced such pressure in his 24 years as a judge. This statement was made during a session organized by the Oxford Union.

Independence of Judiciary

Responding to questions about political pressure, CJI Chandrachud emphasized the judiciary’s independence in India. He stated, “Political pressure, in the sense if you ask me in the sense of pressure from the government, I would tell you that in the 24 years that I have been a judge, I have never faced a sense of political pressure from the powers that be. Some of the democratic traditions that we follow in India include that we lead lives which are isolated from the political arm of the government.”

He clarified that judges must be aware of the broader political ramifications of their decisions but that this does not equate to political pressure. “Judges have to be conversant of the impact of their decisions on the polity at large when you are deciding constitutional cases. That is not political pressure I believe,” he said.

Societal Impact and Social Pressure

Discussing the societal impact of judicial decisions, CJI Chandrachud acknowledged that judges consider the broader implications of their rulings. “Many of the cases we decide involve intense societal impacts. As judges, I believe it is our duty to be cognizant of the impact of our decisions on the social ordering which we are ultimately going to affect,” he said.

Judicial Pendency and Judge Population Ratio

Addressing the issue of case backlogs, CJI Chandrachud highlighted the low judge-to-population ratio in India, one of the lowest globally. “We simply need more judges. We are engaging with the government to increase the strength of the judiciary at all levels,” he noted.

Social Media’s Role in Judiciary

On the influence of social media, CJI Chandrachud acknowledged its inevitability and the challenges it brings. “In our courts today, we have live-tweeting by minute. Every remark which is said by a judge is conveyed on social media. That is something we need not stop & we cannot stop,” he said.

He pointed out that while judges often face criticism on social media, they must have the resilience to handle it. “Obviously, we are the receiving end on some occasions. Sometimes the criticism is fair, sometimes the criticism is not fair. But I do believe as judges our shoulders are broad enough to accept the critique which people have of the work we do,” he stated.

CJI Chandrachud’s remarks highlight the judiciary’s commitment to independence, the need for more judicial resources, and the impact of social media on the legal system. His comments underscore the importance of maintaining judicial integrity while adapting to modern challenges.

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