Legal Community Raises Concerns Over Attempts to Defame Judiciary

In a significant development, approximately 600 lawyers, including prominent figures like Harish Salve and Manan Kumar Mishra, have penned a letter to Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, expressing alarm over what they perceive as a concerted effort by a “vested interest group” to exert undue pressure on the judiciary and tarnish the reputation of courts through the propagation of baseless narratives and political agendas.

The letter, highlighting concerns about attempts to influence judicial decisions, particularly in cases involving allegations of corruption against political figures, underscores the damaging impact such tactics can have on the integrity of the judicial system and democratic principles. While refraining from specific references, the missive raises issues regarding the defense of politicians by certain lawyers during the day and subsequent attempts to sway judicial proceedings through media manipulation at night.

Additionally, the letter condemns the fabrication of false narratives aimed at undermining public trust in the judiciary, as well as the dissemination of unsubstantiated allegations regarding judicial integrity and impartiality. The signatories emphasize the need for the judiciary to remain steadfast in the face of external pressures and to uphold its role as a guardian of justice and the rule of law. They call upon the Supreme Court to take decisive action to safeguard the independence and credibility of the judiciary, particularly during times of heightened political tension and electoral fervor.