600+ lawyers petition CJI Chandrachud over threats to judiciary's integrity

More than 600 lawyers, including prominent figures such as senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, have penned a letter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, expressing deep concern over perceived threats to the integrity of the judiciary. The lawyers collectively condemned what they described as a "vested interest group" aiming to manipulate judicial processes, exert influence over court decisions, and tarnish the reputation of the judiciary through baseless allegations and political agendas. The letter highlighted the group's alleged efforts, particularly in cases involving political figures accused of corruption, where attempts to sway court decisions and discredit the judiciary are most noticeable.

According to the correspondence, the lawyers outlined several alarming tactics, including the fabrication of false narratives, aimed at portraying a biased view of the judiciary's operations, with references to an imaginary 'golden age' of the courts. These narratives, the lawyers asserted, are designed to sway judicial outcomes and undermine public trust in the judiciary. Additionally, the letter raised concerns about the propagation of a "concocted theory of bench fixing," wherein efforts are made to influence the composition of judicial benches and cast doubt on the integrity of judges. The lawyers condemned such actions as disrespectful and detrimental to the rule of law and principles of justice.