Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has dismissed the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to his residence for Ganesh Puja, asserting that judges are fully aware of their responsibilities within the democratic system. He emphasized that such social interactions with political leaders do not compromise the judiciary’s independence.
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch expressed concerns about President Biden’s proposals to reform the Supreme Court, emphasizing the importance of an independent judiciary. He also highlighted the burden of excessive laws and the need for trust and collaboration between citizens and different branches of government.
The Lahore High Court has ordered the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to prevent intelligence agencies and the military from contacting judges. This follows complaints from judges about alleged pressure and interference from these powerful institutions. The order comes as a significant step towards ensuring judicial independence in Pakistan.
Three recent Supreme Court decisions have granted electoral bonds unconstitutional, granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and granted bail to the founder of NewsClick, Prabir Purkayastha. These decisions have challenged state excesses and harmed the ruling party’s interests. However, they have also been met with criticism and attacks on the legitimacy of the Supreme Court. These attacks are part of a larger trend of abuse of the judiciary, which is being exploited by those who seek to subvert the legitimacy of the court. The judiciary and the wider legal fraternity must counter these online threats by dispelling misinformation and exposing bad faith propaganda. Public trust is the judiciary’s greatest ally, and it must be restored by improving service delivery, increasing diversity in appointments, and improving the Court’s counter-majoritarian spine.
