CJI Surya Kant emphasized the need for continuous reform and greater transparency in the judiciary during his keynote address at the 6th Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture.
During a keynote address delivered at the 6th Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture on Justice Seen to Be Done: Transparency and Public Trust as Pillars of the Legal System in New Delhi, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant highlighted the robust mechanism developed by the Supreme Court and high courts for addressing complaints against judges. He underscored that this mechanism is not only responsive but also timely.
In his address, CJI Surya Kant emphasized that reform must remain the norm and no institution can afford to stay static. The judiciary itself has acknowledged the importance of criticism, and the CJI reiterated the Supreme Court's stance on being open to it. He pointed out that fair, informed, and constructive critique of judicial functioning is a legitimate and necessary feature of a vibrant constitutional democracy.
The Chief Justice stated that this principle lies at the heart of judicial transparency. He explained that a court cannot expect to command public confidence by placing itself beyond scrutiny. Instead, it must remain open to being examined, questioned, and where necessary, criticized. The CJI also differentiated between public trust and public approval, stating that true public trust is established when even those who lose a case believe that the judicial process was fair.
Source:
Akashvani News
