Legal Fraternity's Urgent Appeal to CJI: Safeguarding Judicial Independence Amidst External Pressures

New Delhi- 600 lawyers, in a unified stance, have penned a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, expressing profound concern over what they perceive as a concerted effort by a "vested interest group" to exert undue influence on the judiciary for personal and political motives.

In their missive, the lawyers highlighted the alarming trend of attempts to undermine the integrity of the courts by manipulating public opinion and casting aspersions on judicial processes. They emphasized that such actions not only erode public trust in the judiciary but also pose a significant threat to the democratic framework of the nation.

According to the letter, this "vested interest group" is trying to influence the judiciary through the media and in the courts. The letter states that "implying that the courts in the past were easier to influence shakes the public's trust in them."

The group has also created a theory of "bench fixing" which is not just disrespectful and contemptuous but "an attack on the honour and dignity of our courts" and "at times, it also leads to slanderous attacks and insinuations on respected judges."

The lawyers have also questioned the independence of the judiciary saying that "the timing of their modus operandi also merits closer scrutiny- they do it at very strategic timings, when the nation is all set to head into elections."

The letter reads "We are reminded of similar antics in 2018-2019 when they took to their 'hit and run' activities, including fabricating wrong narrative." The lawyers have urged the Supreme Court to take suo moto cognisance of the matter and take steps to protect the courts from "these attacks."

"These efforts to belittle and manipulate the courts for personal and political reasons cannot be allowed under any circumstances," the lawyers said and urged the Supreme Court "to stand strong and take steps to protect our courts from these attacks".

"Staying silent or doing nothing could accidentally give more power to those who mean to do harm," the letter said, adding that "this is not the time to maintain dignified silence as such efforts are happening since few years and too frequently".

The lawyers said, "As people who work to uphold the law, we think it's time to stand up for our courts. We need to come together and speak out against these underhanded attacks, making sure our courts stay strong as pillars of our democracy, untouched by these calculated attacks."