Impartial judiciary essential for democracy, says SC Justice Jasti Chelameswar

It is essential to have an impartial and independent judiciary for the survival of a liberal democracy, Justice Jasti Chelameswar said. On Monday, Justice Chelameswar made his first public appearance while attending a book launch since the extraordinary press conference led by him on January 12.  Earlier this month, four senior judges of Supreme Court — Justices Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan Lokur and Kurian Joseph, ranking two to five in order of seniority — held an unprecedented press conference to bare their anguish over CJI Misra’s alleged breach of institutional integrity, and “to save the democracy”.

Speaking at the launch of the book “Supreme Court of India- The Beginnings” by author Vikram Raghavan and Vasujith Ram, Justice Chelameswar, who was the chief guest, said, “People like me who are interested in sustaining and protecting the institution, must keep analyzing it and examining it. For the survival of a liberal democracy, an impartial and independent judiciary is essential.”

Hinting at the crisis in the judiciary, the SC judge suggested that scholars study institutions due to curiosity as part of an assignment. However, people who are part of the institution have an interest but don’t have time to look at it systemically.  “Supreme Court is not the superintendent of all courts, but in reality, it exercises such powers,” he said to a packed audience.

Justice Chelameswar said he owed his gratitude to the people of this country and added that the law declared by the Supreme Court binds everyone.