Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud addressed concerns over judges meeting government leaders, clarifying at an event in Mumbai that such interactions do not imply any agreements. He emphasized that these meetings reflect “political maturity” and are essential to judicial administration.
The CJI’s remarks followed a recent controversy where Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited his residence for Ganpati puja. He stated that judges must interact with state leaders as they handle judiciary budgets, adding that administrative relations are distinct from judicial duties.
Maturity in Judicial-Political Interactions
The CJI highlighted that judges meeting government heads does not compromise judicial independence. He assured that such interactions avoid discussions on pending cases and maintain professional boundaries.
He explained that the judiciary’s administrative needs sometimes require collaboration with government leaders. Such engagements, he reiterated, showcase political maturity rather than bias.
Collegium System and Institutional Improvement
Speaking on the collegium system, the CJI noted that while improvements are always possible, it should not be assumed that the system is fundamentally flawed. He stressed that judicial independence remains intact, despite interactions with political figures.
The CJI concluded that judges’ interactions with political leaders are professional and uphold the judiciary’s integrity, with a clear line between administrative cooperation and judicial functions.
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