New Delhi: Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud on Saturday said that judges at grassroot level in India are reluctant in granting bail because they have a sense of fear of being targeted for granting bail in heinous crimes, reported news agency ANI. 


Speaking at a felicitation event organised by Bar Council of India, the CJI said, "Higher judiciary is flooded with bail applications due to reluctance at grassroots to grant bail. Judges at the grassroots are reluctant to grant bail not because they do not understand crime, but there is a sense of fear of being targeted for granting bail in heinous cases."


The event was also attended by Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju who raised concerns over several lawyers meeting CJI regarding transfers. 


"I heard some lawyers want to meet the CJI regarding the transfer case. It can be an individual issue but if it becomes a recurring instance for every decision by the collegium which is supported by the Government then 'Where will it lead to', the whole dimension will change," Rijiju said.


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He also stressed on the need to learn to trust the district judiciary, saying it would truly answer the needs of common citizens who seek access to justice, adding that the district judiciary is as important in the affairs of the nation's judicial system as is the Supreme Court and high courts.


The CJI talked about the use of technology in judiciary, district judiciary, judicial infrastructure, legal education and women in the judicial system.


The CJI said an independent bar is inextricably linked with the independence of judiciary and the reason for that is as judges "we have no personal defence or a platform to defend ourselves".


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The senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice DY Chandrachud became the 50th Chief Justice of India on November 9 and will have a tenure till November 10, 2024. 


Justice Chandrachud had succeeded Chief Justice UU Lalit who retired on November 9. 


(With inputs from agencies)