'Let's not make too much out of it..': ex-CJI Chandrachud on Modi's visit
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New Delhi: Regarding the controversy of Prime Minister Narendra visiting former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on a religious event, the judge told BBC in an interview that there is no need to make too much out of such interaction between high constitutional functionaries, Financial Express reported.
He was of the opinion that such interaction would not compromise judicial integrity. Modi visited the former CJI at home while he was holding his office.
“Let’s not make too much out of elementary courtesies between high constitutional functionaries,” he could be heard saying in the broadcast of the interview. “Our system is mature enough to understand that these courtesies have nothing to do with the way cases are decided.”
He denied allegations that the Supreme Court had been influenced by political pressures. He highlighted that the court has granted bail to political leaders as well as activists, claiming that the court is functioning as it is supposed to and the rule of law remains intact.
He said, “The Supreme Court disposed of 21,300 bail applications last year alone. “I’m not going to name the political leaders who have been granted bail, but this just indicates that the rule of law governs.”
He stressed that the top court has always protected personal liberties and has always been clear about its independence from political forces.
Defending the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the abrogation of Article 370, Chandrachud said the ruling aligned with the Constitution’s original intent.
“Article 370 was introduced as a transitional provision,” he explained. “At the birth of the Constitution, the assumption was that what was transitional would eventually fade away and merge with the overall text,” he added.