While every Indian may harbor a certain political ideology or inclination, Chief Justice of India K. Chandrachud today emphasized that the loyalty of lawyers and judges should be directed to the Constitution. The chief justice made the remarks days before the Lok Sabha elections, stressing that judges must be non-partisan.

“In a dynamic and argumentative democracy like ours, most people have a political ideology or orientation. Aristotle said that humans are political animals, and lawyers are no exception. But, for lawyers, One’s highest loyalty should not be partisan interests but political interests,” DY Chandrachud said at the centenary celebrations of the Nagpur High Court Bar Association.

He reiterated that the judiciary always adheres to “maintaining independence and non-partisanship and ensuring the separation of powers between executive power, legislative power and vested political interests.”

“We must not forget, however, that there is a close link between the independence of the judiciary and the independence of lawyers,” the CJI stressed.

He emphasized that independent lawyers are “the moral bastion of safeguarding the rule of law and constitutional government.”

The CJI said the judgment of the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court represents the culmination of rigorous proceedings, thorough legal analysis and commitment to constitutional principles.

“Once a verdict is pronounced, it becomes public property. As an institution, we have broad shoulders. We are prepared to accept praise and criticism…praise and criticism, whether it is through news reports, political commentary or social media,” he asserted.

However, he added that as members and heads of bar associations, lawyers must distinguish themselves from laypeople when reacting to court decisions.

“Of late, I have been deeply disturbed by the tendency of members of the Bar to comment on pending cases and judgments. You are officers of the court first and foremost, and the truth and dignity of our legal discourse depends on your hands,” DY Chandrachud concluded.