New Delhi: Judiciary scrutiny is essential for maintaining public trust in India’s justice system, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said while delivering the keynote address at the 6th Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture in New Delhi.
The CJI emphasized that no institution, including the judiciary, can remain beyond public examination. He said transparency, accountability, and constructive criticism are necessary to strengthen confidence in courts.
Public Trust Is Different From Public Approval
During his speech, CJI Surya Kant explained that public trust and public approval are not the same. He said courts do not earn trust by delivering popular judgments. Instead, trust is built when judicial processes are fair, transparent, and impartial, even if some people disagree with the outcome.
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According to the Chief Justice, the legitimacy of the judiciary comes from people’s confidence that justice is delivered fairly and without bias.
Courts Must Remain Open To Criticism
The CJI stated that the judiciary should never place itself beyond scrutiny. He said courts must remain willing to be examined, questioned, and criticized whenever necessary. Such criticism, when fair and constructive, helps improve institutions and strengthens democracy.
He referred to a previous Supreme Court observation that the judiciary cannot seek public confidence by avoiding criticism. Instead, transparency requires openness to public discussion and accountability.
Reform Must Be A Continuous Process
Responding to concerns raised by senior advocates Harish Salve and Mahesh Jethmalani regarding judicial reforms, CJI Surya Kant acknowledged that reform is necessary for every institution.
He said no institution can afford to remain static and that continuous improvement is essential for long-term credibility and effectiveness.
The Chief Justice also noted that some sensitive issues may not be suitable for discussion on public platforms but assured that the judiciary remains committed to improvement and accountability.
Transparency Is More Than Just Open Hearings
CJI Surya Kant said transparency does not only mean allowing public access to court proceedings. It also means ensuring that judicial reasoning is clear, understandable, and accessible. Citizens should be able to understand how and why decisions are reached. According to him, transparency is the foundation upon which public trust is built.
Lessons From Justice Krishna Iyer
During the lecture, the CJI recalled the views of former Supreme Court judge Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer.
He noted that institutions remain strong not by avoiding scrutiny but by repeatedly facing it and demonstrating integrity. This openness, he said, is crucial for preserving public confidence in democratic institutions.
Why This Statement Matters
The remarks come at a time when discussions about judicial accountability, transparency, appointments, and public confidence are receiving significant attention in India. Legal experts believe that the CJI’s comments reinforce the importance of balancing judicial independence with accountability and openness to public scrutiny.
FAQs
According to the CJI, public trust is the judiciary’s most valuable asset and is built through fairness, transparency, and accountability rather than popular judgments.
CJI Surya Kant said the judiciary cannot place itself beyond scrutiny and must remain open to criticism and public examination to maintain trust and accountability.
He made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 6th Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture in New Delhi.
