'Biased, Ill-Informed, Agenda-Driven': CJI Criticises News Debates, Says Media Running 'Kangaroo Courts'

CJI Ramana also highlighted the attack on judges saying that they have to live in the same society as those whom they convict but the former are not provided with security after retirement.

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Saturday made strong statements regarding debates hosted by TV news channels saying that such “ill-informed” and “agenda driven” debates “are proving to be detrimental to the health of democracy”, reported news agency ANI. Speaking at an event in Ranchi, the chief justice said that the media is running “kangaroo courts”. 

“Of late, we see the media running kangaroo courts, at times on issues even experienced judges find difficult to decide. Ill-informed and agenda driven debates on issues involving justice delivery are proving to be detrimental to the health of democracy,” Ramana said. 

“By overstepping and breaching your responsibilities, you are taking our democracy two steps backward. Print media still has a certain degree of accountability, whereas electronic media has zero accountability,” he said further. 

Ramana also highlighted the attack on judges saying that they have to live in the same society as those whom they convict but the former are not provided with security after retirement as it is for other retired politicians, bureaucrats, police officers and other public representatives. 

“These days, we are witnessing an increasing number of physical attacks on judges...Judges have to live in the same society as the people that they have convicted, without Any security or assurance of safety. Politicians, bureaucrats, police officers and other public representatives are often provided with security even after their retirement owing to the sensitivity of their jobs. Ironically, judges are not extended similar protection,” he said. 

The chief justice also spoke about the long pendency of cases in courts across the country. 

“False narratives are created about the supposed easy lives led by judges. It is difficult to swallow. People often complain about the long pendency of the cases at all levels of the Indian judicial system. On multiple occasions, I have highlighted the issues leading to the pendencies. I have been strongly advocating the need to revamp the infrastructure - both physical and personal to enable the judges to function to their full potential,” he said.