21 Retired Judges Write to CJI Chandrachud Against Attempts to Undermine Judiciary

New Delhi: A group of 21 retired judges of the Supreme Court and high courts have written to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on the increasing attempts by “certain factions to undermine the judiciary through calculated pressure, misinformation, and public disparagement”.

These retired judges alleged that the critics are motivated by narrow political interests and personal gains and are striving to erode public confidence in the judicial system.

These retired judges include four from the Supreme Court. But these retired judges did not specify the incidents which prompted them to write to the CJI.

The retired judges, including justices (retired) Deepak Verma, Krishna Murari, Dinesh Maheshwari and M R Shah, accused the critics of having insidious methods with clear attempts to sway judicial processes by casting aspersions on the integrity of courts and the judges.

Their letter coincides the verbal warfare between the ruling BJP and opposition parties over the actions against some opposition leaders in corruption cases.

Last month, more than 600 advocates, including, senior advocate Harish Salve, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and SCBA President Adish C Aggarwala had written to the CJI, expressing serious concern over direct attacks being made by a vested interest group to damage the public’s trust in the judiciary.