Justice DY Chandrachud who has taken over as the Chief Justice of India on 9th of this month will have a term of almost two years which should give him enough time to streamline the judiciary and regain its independence which his two immediate predecessors strenuously worked towards after the muck left behind by their three predecessors.
Strengthening the independence of our Judiciary is now on the shoulders of our Chief Justice Chandrachud. He has a task at hand but it is not a mission impossible however daunting it may be. There should be Zero tolerance to even the faintest governmental interference in the functioning of our judiciary. Our Constitution of India is very clear on the distinct roles of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. It envisages a free, fair and independent Judiciary. The highest standards of judicial independence must always be ensured.
With the sanctity of the other pillars of our democracy currently severely dented, our only hope is the Judiciary but with the government wanting to overpower the Judiciary too, there is a very disturbing disquiet over the slippery slope on which judicial values are slithering.
An effective judiciary guarantees fairness in judicial processes and transparency. The Public must be confident that the judiciary is beyond reproach. Transparency is a fundamental component of judicial independence. Any direct or indirect interference by the politicians in the selection, elevation and promotion of Judges or even in their transfer is a threat to the very Independence of the Judiciary.
If the Judiciary is reduced to being a mouthpiece of the government, the Courts will lose all relevance. It has to be ensured that judicial accountability is maintained at all times with every Judge conforming to the highest standards of uprightness and integrity to the Rule of law. If Judges cannot independently balance the scales of Justice, the Temples of Justice become pointless.
