4 senior Supreme court  judges rise in protest against Chief Justice of India

In a first for independent India, the country saw open and direct attack on the Chief Justice of India, Deepak Mishra by 4 senior-most Supreme court judges who called a press conference in Delhi to air their grievances against the CJI and proclaimed that “Democracy is in danger” and saying to the nation that no one is above law-

“Be you ever so high, law is above you.”

Death of special CBI Judge B.H. Loya and roster of justices at Supreme Court seem to be the main issues but not the only ones. The press conference was held at the residence of Justice J. Chelameswar, and also addressed by Justices Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B. Lokur and Kurian Joseph. The death of Special CBI judge B.H. Loya and the selective allotment of cases to various benches , the judges said prompted this open revolt against the CJI.

“Democracy will not survive without a free judiciary.”

“Sometimes, the administration of the Supreme Court is not in order. There are many things less than desirable that have happened in the last few months… As senior-most justices of the court, we have a responsibility to the nation and institution. We tried to persuade the CJI that some things are not in order and he needs to take remedial measures. Unfortunately, our efforts failed. We all believe that the SC must maintain its equanimity. Democracy will not survive without a free judiciary.”

“There have been instances where cases having far-reaching consequences for the Nation and the institution had been assigned by the Chief Justice of this Court selectively to the benches “of their preference” without any rationale for this assignment. This must be guarded against at all costs.”