‘We know our duties’: Chief Justice on meeting with PM Modi at Puja
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New Delhi: Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that judges know their duties in the democratic system of governance, adding that ‘the political executive know theirs’, India Today reported.
Chief Justice, who will retire on November 10, 2024,was responding to the controversy surrounding his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Ganesh Puja in September.
When the images of PM Modi with Justice DY Chandrachud came out, the Opposition questioned the appropriateness of their meeting.
Speaking at the Loksatta lecture series, Chief Justice further expanded on it saying "There is enough maturity among judges of constitutional courts and the heads of the executive to firmly keep aside judicial matters out of the purview of any discussion."
Chief Justice made it clear that ‘We know our duties in the democratic system of governance, and the political executive know theirs’, adding that no judge or chief justices ‘can even remotely invite any threat, actual or perceived, to the independence of the judiciary’.
Chandrachud pointed out that Chief Justices meeting Chief Ministers is customary in some states, adding that it is not for judicial discussion.
‘And the maturity of our political system lies in the fact that there is a great deal of deference to the judiciary, even in the political class', he was quoted as saying.
Recalling his experience as Chief Justice in various High Courts, he said that it is important for chief justices to meet chief ministers to address judicial infrastructure including new court buildings and accommodation for judges.
Stressing the importance of maintaining strong dialogue between the Judiciary and the government, he said ‘We have to understand that the work of all three arms is dedicated to one and the same goal-the betterment of the nation.’
Justice DY Chandrachud pointed out that judges never discuss judicial work when they meet political leaders at social gatherings.