In a recent development, a group of retired judges from the Supreme Court and High Courts have penned a letter to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud expressing their shared concerns over the escalating attempts to undermine the judiciary. The letter, signed by 21 former judges including ex-Supreme Court Justices Deepak Verma, Krishna Murari, Dinesh Maheshwari, and M R Shah, highlighted the efforts of certain factions to erode public confidence in the judicial system through calculated pressure, misinformation, and public disparagement. The retired judges noted that these elements, driven by narrow political interests and personal gains, were aiming to sway judicial processes and cast doubts on the integrity of the courts and judges. They emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of fairness and impartiality in the judiciary, urging for fortification against such pressures to preserve the sanctity and autonomy of the legal system. The letter also addressed concerns regarding tactics of misinformation and the orchestration of public sentiment against the judiciary, stating that such practices undermine the essence of judicial review and the rule of law. The retired judges called upon the judiciary, led by the Supreme Court, to stand firm against these challenges and ensure that the judiciary remains a pillar of democracy, immune to transient political interests. This development comes in the wake of a series of attempts to influence judicial outcomes and tarnish the reputation of the judiciary, posing a direct threat to the foundational principles of democracy and justice in India.
