CJI Surya Kant Affirms Judiciary Must Embrace Scrutiny to Sustain Public Trust

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated on Monday that the judiciary cannot earn public confidence by placing itself beyond examination, emphasizing that fair and informed criticism remains essential for institutional accountability. Delivering the keynote address at the sixth Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, the CJI noted that public trust functions as the sole currency of judicial authority, given that courts possess neither the power of the purse nor the sword.

The lecture, themed around transparency and public trust as pillars of the legal system, brought together prominent legal figures including Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Senior Advocates Harish Salve and Mahesh Jethmalani. The discussions highlighted ongoing debates concerning administrative mechanisms, judicial appointments, and the necessity of continuous reform within India's judicial architecture.

CJI Kant tied the discussion on institutional openness to the Supreme Court's recent intervention in the NCERT Class 8 textbook row. The apex court had initially taken suo motu cognizance of textual references depicting judicial corruption, issuing strict observations regarding material intended for young students before ultimately closing the proceedings earlier in September once the curriculum was updated.

Invoking the legacy of the late Justice Krishna Iyer, the CJI remarked that institutions remain clean not by being shielded from scrutiny, but by repeatedly surviving exposure to it. He clarified that transparency extends beyond physical open doors and public hearings, requiring that the reasoning behind judicial decisions remains accessible to public examination, including by litigants who receive unfavorable rulings.

Addressing concerns raised by senior advocates regarding administrative oversight and the appointment process, CJI Kant maintained that institutional reform must remain the rule. He defended the existing mechanisms developed by the Supreme Court and High Courts to handle complaints against judicial officers, describing them as robust and responsive while acknowledging that every interlocutory order or adjournment carries the potential to invite complaints.

On the functioning of the Collegium system for judicial appointments, the CJI noted that historical precedents and existing consultation structures with the Union government work effectively. While acknowledging that certain operational issues remain unsuited for public debate, he underscored that the executive and the judiciary maintain a collaborative framework for vetting candidates.

Earlier during the memorial event, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani raised concerns regarding the integrity of tribunals and courts, specifically pointing to the role of fixer lawyers who facilitate bribery within the legal ecosystem. Jethmalani argued that such individuals are widely recognized within the bar and suggested that intelligence agencies should communicate relevant information directly to the Supreme Court Collegium.

The event underscored ongoing institutional challenges facing the administration of justice in India, ranging from structural transparency to internal accountability. The proceedings concluded without formal judicial directives, serving as a platform for dialogue on preserving the judiciary's foundational legitimacy.