National Desk
24 November
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Former Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, expressed concerns about the impact of social media on judicial processes. Speaking at the “Constitution at 75 Conclave” organized by a TV channel, he said social media is being used by pressure groups to influence court decisions. He warned judges to stay vigilant against such interference.
Justice Chandrachud highlighted that people often form opinions based on short videos or clips from platforms like YouTube, which oversimplifies complex judicial matters. He emphasized the importance of citizens understanding the reasoning behind court decisions but cautioned against using this freedom to unfairly target judges. He questioned whether such targeting truly falls under freedom of expression.
Discussing the seriousness of judicial decision-making, he said it involves a complex process that social media users often fail to grasp. Justice Chandrachud also defended the collegium system of appointing judges, calling it a nuanced and multi-layered process that is often misunderstood.
On the topic of judges entering politics, he clarified that the Constitution or any law does not restrict them from doing so. He stressed the role of constitutional courts in ensuring the validity of laws in a democracy, describing this as a significant judicial responsibility.