In a noteworthy development, twenty-one former judges have come forward with a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, expressing deep concerns over what they perceive as "escalating attempts" by certain factions to undermine the judiciary. The retired judges highlighted their worries about the tactics of misinformation, orchestrated public sentiment against the judiciary, and overt pressure tactics that they believe are detrimental to democratic principles and the rule of law.

The letter, penned by retired judges including four from the Supreme Court - Justices (retired) Deepak Verma, Krishna Murari, Dinesh Maheshwari, and MR Shah - accuses these elements of being motivated by narrow political interests and personal gains. They allege a concerted effort to erode public confidence in the judicial system by selectively praising judicial decisions aligned with their views while vehemently criticizing others. This, they argue, undermines the essence of judicial review and the rule of law.

The retired judges further pointed out that these actions not only disrespect the sanctity of the judiciary but also pose a direct challenge to the principles of fairness and impartiality that judges are sworn to uphold as guardians of the law. The judges didn't mince words in pointing out the motives behind these actions, attributing them to "vested interests" seeking to sway judicial processes by casting doubts on the integrity of the courts and judges. 

Of particular concern are cases of social, economic, and political significance where attempts to influence judicial outcomes are apparent. The retired judges highlighted the blurred lines between advocacy and manipulative maneuvering, especially in cases involving specific individuals or groups.

This development echoes earlier concerns raised by a group of over 600 lawyers, including prominent names like Senior Advocate Harish Salve and Pinky Anand, who flagged similar issues of attempts to influence judicial outcomes, especially in cases involving political leaders and corruption charges.

Also Read: 500+ prominent lawyers raise alarm over judicial integrity.

The retired judges and lawyers called on the judiciary to take decisive action against these pressures and safeguard the sanctity and autonomy of the legal system. They stressed the importance of the judiciary remaining a pillar of democracy, immune to transient political interests and undue influences.