Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud expressed concern over the growing trend of lawyers commenting on pending cases and judgments, saying it as a “very disturbing” practice.
Addressing the centenary celebration of the High Court Bar Association of Nagpur on Friday, Chandrachud emphasized that lawyers, as officers of the court, should refrain from forgetting their professional responsibilities while reacting to judicial decisions.
The judiciary has time and again risen to the occasion to assert its independence and non-partisanship, he said.
“We must not forget, however, that there is a close link between the independence of the judiciary and independence of the bar,” the CJI said.
“To quote Aristotle, human beings are political animals. Lawyers are no exception. However, for members of the bar, one’s highest interest must not lie with partisan interests but with the court and the Constitution,” he said.
The CJI said judgments of the Supreme Court’s constitutional benches are the culmination of rigorous proceedings, thorough legal analysis and commitment to constitutional principles.
“But once a judgment is pronounced, it is public property. As an institution, our shoulders are broad. We stand ready to receive both praise and criticism…bouquets and brickbats, be it through journalistic pieces, political commentary or on social media,” he said.
But as members and office-bearers of bar associations, lawyers must distinguish themselves from the layperson while reacting to judgments of the court, the CJI added.
“Of late, I have been very disturbed by the tendency of members of bar associations to comment on cases which are pending and on judgments. You are first and foremost officers of the court, and the truth and dignity of our legal discourse is in your hands,” the CJI said.
India’s Constitution is an inclusive constitution intended to bring together every person including “the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker”, he said.
(With PTI inputs)