CJI Chandrachud's remarks on "demolition, arbitrary arrest"

"The real strength of our system lies in granting justice to our citizens." The Chief Justice of India's note to lawyers...

Transcript

00:00That sense of confidence of the individual that an arbitrary arrest, a threatened demolition,

00:09maybe a pension which is attached unlawfully, must find a solace and voice in the judges

00:18of the Supreme Court.

00:35The real strength of our system is granting access to justice to our citizens.

00:43That sense of confidence of the individual that an arbitrary arrest, a threatened demolition,

00:52maybe a pension which is attached unlawfully, must find a solace and voice in the judges

01:00of the Supreme Court.

01:03Our freedom struggle offered a constitutional space for the marginalized and the downtrodden

01:09to raise their voice against the structures and influences of a hegemonic social structure.

01:16It enjoined the institutions of governance to proactively respond to the sufferings of

01:20the people to do justice.

01:23If we glance at the last 76 years, we realize that each institution has contributed to the

01:28strengthening of our nation's soul and it is important that we recognize that all the

01:35institutions of the nation, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary are associated

01:44in the common task of nation building.

01:48This momentous day should serve as an occasion to recalibrate our collective goals and institutional

01:55aspirations.

01:56Our constitution envisages an important role for the judiciary to ensure that the institutions

02:04of governance function within defined constitutional limits.

02:09Moreover the courts provide a safe democratic space for individuals to seek protections

02:14of their lives and liberties.

02:17The Supreme Court particularly has been the vanguard of institutional governance by enhancing

02:23access to justice and promoting constitutional values.

02:27But as all of us judges know, a judge or a judgment is as good as the lawyer who appears

02:33before the court.

02:34So in the work which we do, we find enhancement in your traditions, in the ideals of the Bar,

02:42in the independence of the Bar.

02:45The past 76 years suggest that the history of the Indian judiciary is the history of

02:50the daily life struggles of Indian people.

02:54The Supreme Court Bar, as the leading bar of the country, stands for the protection

02:59of the rule of law.

03:02Without you, without you the lawyers and without your fearlessness and without your

03:08independence, we as judges would be really ciphers in the sands of time.