Pressure tactics are being employed by a “vested interest group” to influence judicial outcomes – particularly in political and corruption cases, reads a letter sent by 600 prominent lawyers from across India to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud.
In their letter, the lawyers, including senior advocate Harish Salve, have alleged that efforts were being made by a “specific interest group" to “taint” the image of the judiciary.
A false narrative about judges and courts was being created, with allegations of “bench-fixing… which is an attack on the honour and dignity” of courts, the letter reads.
The group has "stooped to the level of comparing our courts to those countries where there is no rule of law and accusing our judicial institutions with unfair practices," the lawyers have complained.
Mentioning “selective cherry-picking,” they have said court decisions that suited the group’s political agendas formed the basis of selective criticism or praise. Politicians were first accusing people of corruption and then defending them in court. "Underhand tactics" were also being employed to influence judges handling particular cases and pressurise them on social media “to decide in a particular way.”
Asking for a closer scrutiny of “the timing of their modus operandi,” the letter said the group was active at a “strategic” time, when the nation “is all set to head into elections.”
The Supreme Court was requested to “stand strong and take steps to protect” courts from the “attacks.” Silence, the lawyers said, “could accidentally give more power to those who mean to do harm.”
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