'No Institution Perfect In A Democracy, Judges Soldiers Of Constitution': CJI Chandrachud On Collegium

Speaking at a Constitution Day event in Delhi, CJI Chandrachud touched upon the recent criticisms levelled against the Collegium, dress code of lawyers and pending petitions.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Chandrachud addresses a programme as part of Constitution Day celebrations

Source : PTI

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Friday said no institution in a democracy was "perfect" and the Collegium system, which is followed for appointing judges, cannot be singled out. Speaking at a Constitution Day event in Delhi, CJI Chandrachud said the court worked within the existing framework of the Constitution "as it is interpreted and given to us".

"No institution in a constitutional democracy is perfect. We work within the existing framework of the constitution and we are faithful soldiers who implement the Constitution," the CJI said.

The CJI said just reforming Collegium system or increasing salary of judges would not ensure that good, qualified people join the bench, a report in Bar and Bench said.

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"Getting good people in judiciary is not just about reforming the collegium... Getting to be judges is not how much salary you give judges. However, high you pay judges it will be fraction of what lawyers make in one day," Justice Chandrachud, who was sworn in as the 50th CJI on November 9, said.

CJI Chandrachud also called for the need to dispose of transfer petitions pending in the court before the winter vacation. The CJI said bail pleas must be expedited too. 

"From the coming week, every bench of the Supreme Court will hear 10 bail applications, preceded by 10 transfer petitions. There are about 3000 transfer petitions pending in the Supreme Court," ANI quoted CJI Chandrachud as saying.

"Since we have 13 benches going on right now our endeavour is to dispose off 130 transfer petitions every day before the winter vacations. SC wants to ensure that bail matters are listed and disposed in an expeditious manner," he further said.

The CJI also touched upon the "strict dress code" for lawyers, saying that it must be "reconsidered" especially during the scorching summer months. "Legal profession must shed its colonial underpinnings," he noted. CJI Chandrachud, however, underscored that the "strictness of attire" should not become a reason to morally police women lawyers.

"In India, where summers include extreme heatwaves because of climate change, we must reconsider the strict dress code for lawyers, especially in summers. The strictness of attire shouldn't lead to moral policing of women lawyers," he said.