Supreme Court judge Justice BR Gavai recently flagged some worrisome trends among judges with regard to punctuality and behaviour with lawyers..While addressing a regional conference of the National Judicial Academy in Kolkata, he said,"Some of the judges in some of the High Courts do not sit on time. It is shocking to know that some of the judges, though the court timings are 10:30 AM, sit at 11:30 AM and get up at 12:30 PM though the court timings are up to 1:30 PM. It is more shocking to know that some of the judges do not sit in the second half."He stated that a judge should be studious, courteous, conscientious, patient, punctual, just, impartial, fearless of public clamour regardless of public praise, and indifferent to private, political or partisan influences..The judge also cautioned High Court judges against canvassing for elevation to the apex court, as the same was injurious to the principle of judicial discipline. He stated,"When we are talking about discipline, it pains to mention that some of the judges even go to the extent of canvassing their candidature for elevation to the Supreme Court. They try to prove their case as to how they are more suitable for elevation to the Supreme Court than the other senior judges of the said Court...In my view, such canvassing by judges is injurious to the principle of discipline that we should maintain," said Justice Gavai..Grave danger when judges perceive themselves as deities in temples of justice: CJI DY Chandrachud.On judges behaving in an incorrect way with lawyers, Justice Gavai stated,"The lawyers are not treated with the dignity they deserve and are often humiliated by judges. We should not forget that the judges and lawyers are co-equal partners in the administration of justice; none superior, none inferior. Misbehaving with lawyers does not enhance the dignity of the institution, but rather undermines it.".Justice Gavai also stated that the practice of calling senior government officials to court at the drop of a hat must also stop."Some of the judges derive pleasure by calling senior executives to court. Some of the judges are known for passing such orders at the drop of a hat. They should understand that government officials are also required to discharge their duties in the field and unless the conduct is so reckless, such directions should be avoided.".Further, he flagged growing concerns on the misquoting of observations made by judges in ongoing cases during live telecasts of judicial proceedings of the Supreme Court and the High Courts."In the age of instant communication and widespread dissemination of information, every word spoken in a courtroom can be rapidly shared, analyzed, and often distorted on social media platforms. Judges' remarks, intended as tentative thoughts or questions to probe the arguments of counsel, can be taken out of context and used to influence public opinion or pressure the judiciary," said the judge. .He urged judges to remain unaffected by such external pressures to ensure their objectivity and impartiality in decision-making."The integrity of the judicial process depends on the ability of judges to deliberate and decide cases based solely on the law and the facts presented, without being swayed by public sentiment or media commentary."
Supreme Court judge Justice BR Gavai recently flagged some worrisome trends among judges with regard to punctuality and behaviour with lawyers..While addressing a regional conference of the National Judicial Academy in Kolkata, he said,"Some of the judges in some of the High Courts do not sit on time. It is shocking to know that some of the judges, though the court timings are 10:30 AM, sit at 11:30 AM and get up at 12:30 PM though the court timings are up to 1:30 PM. It is more shocking to know that some of the judges do not sit in the second half."He stated that a judge should be studious, courteous, conscientious, patient, punctual, just, impartial, fearless of public clamour regardless of public praise, and indifferent to private, political or partisan influences..The judge also cautioned High Court judges against canvassing for elevation to the apex court, as the same was injurious to the principle of judicial discipline. He stated,"When we are talking about discipline, it pains to mention that some of the judges even go to the extent of canvassing their candidature for elevation to the Supreme Court. They try to prove their case as to how they are more suitable for elevation to the Supreme Court than the other senior judges of the said Court...In my view, such canvassing by judges is injurious to the principle of discipline that we should maintain," said Justice Gavai..Grave danger when judges perceive themselves as deities in temples of justice: CJI DY Chandrachud.On judges behaving in an incorrect way with lawyers, Justice Gavai stated,"The lawyers are not treated with the dignity they deserve and are often humiliated by judges. We should not forget that the judges and lawyers are co-equal partners in the administration of justice; none superior, none inferior. Misbehaving with lawyers does not enhance the dignity of the institution, but rather undermines it.".Justice Gavai also stated that the practice of calling senior government officials to court at the drop of a hat must also stop."Some of the judges derive pleasure by calling senior executives to court. Some of the judges are known for passing such orders at the drop of a hat. They should understand that government officials are also required to discharge their duties in the field and unless the conduct is so reckless, such directions should be avoided.".Further, he flagged growing concerns on the misquoting of observations made by judges in ongoing cases during live telecasts of judicial proceedings of the Supreme Court and the High Courts."In the age of instant communication and widespread dissemination of information, every word spoken in a courtroom can be rapidly shared, analyzed, and often distorted on social media platforms. Judges' remarks, intended as tentative thoughts or questions to probe the arguments of counsel, can be taken out of context and used to influence public opinion or pressure the judiciary," said the judge. .He urged judges to remain unaffected by such external pressures to ensure their objectivity and impartiality in decision-making."The integrity of the judicial process depends on the ability of judges to deliberate and decide cases based solely on the law and the facts presented, without being swayed by public sentiment or media commentary."
