Judicial intervention to nudge exec, not usurp its role: CJI

Excerpts from CJI NV Ramana’s speech at Constitution Day celebrations organised by the Supreme Court registry on Friday

Physical attacks on judicial officers are on the rise. Then there are attacks on the judiciary in the media, particularly social media. These attacks appear to be sponsored and synchronised… The govts are expected to create a secure environment so that judges and judicial officers can function fearlessly

The framers of the Constitution made accountability an integral element with respect to the legislature and executive. However, they consciously decided to keep the judiciary on a different pedestal. They trusted the competence of the men and women who would adorn the Bench, in upholding the Constitution. Looking back, I can proudly claim that, as an institution, the judiciary has lived up to the faith reposed in it by the Constituent Assembly.