'A Message To The Nation That Collegium Is Vibrant, Active & Committed' : CJI DY Chandrachud On Recent Appointments To Supreme Court

Speaking at the felicitation function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association in honour of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice K V Viswanathan who were recently appointed as judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said,

“We must also accept the fact that the government is also a stakeholder in the process and these recommendations that have comes through in less than 72 hours after the names were recommended. I think we’ve sent the nation a message that the collegium is vibrant, active and committed to its task.”

CJI DY Chandrachud went on to say that all appointments to the Supreme Court are made after extensive consultation with all the judges of the Supreme Court and not just the Collegium:

“In all the appointments we have made, we have extensively consulted all the judges of the Supreme Court. So everyone who comes to the Supreme Court commands the respect and affection and sense of belonging of all the judges of the Supreme Court.”

The CJI said that both Justice K V Viswanathan and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra being former members of the bar, will bring a freshness of ideas while holding judicial office. On appointing members of the bar to higher judiciary CJI said:

“Members of the bar that come to the bench bring a freshness of ideas. Members who come from the district judiciary to the High Court to the Supreme Court, bring a tradition of continuity. Both are equally important for the survival of the institution. The constant challenge for people who have been judges for so long is not to get overwhelmed by being part of the system for so long. Members of the bar who come to hold high judicial office, have the drive and initiative because they have seen face to face realities of life, right up to the point of time when they were appointed.”

Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra is the first judge of the Supreme Court to be elevated from the Chhattisgarh High Court. Speaking about him, the CJI said that his humble origins is a reminder of the fact that the judges who come to the Supreme Court are deeply connected with the social reality in India. “Even though he has been holding judicial office for 14 years, he has not become jaded. His smile never leaves him, whether on or off court.He comes with a track record which speaks for itself and I’m sure that he will contribute in so many ways to the great tradition of the Supreme Court.“ the CJI said about Justice Mishra.

CJI described Justice K V Viswanathan as an idol and a mentor to young members of the Bar. “He has had the strength of character to stand by the Court when there have been attacks on our independence” the CJI said about Justice Viswanathan.

Describing Justice Viswanathan's simple and effective approach to practicing law, the CJI said “his image as a lawyer indicates that being brash and ostentatious are not the hallmarks of being successful at the bar. He is understated in his elegance and simple in his approach.”

Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra speaking at the felicitation ceremony, described his long association with the bar back in his home state in Chhattisgarh. Describing himself as an ardent advocate of the bar and bench relationship, he said

“I can assure you that on the bench, I will not do anything that will demean or discourage the members of the bar. Nothing can move in the judicial system without the active cooperation of the bar and it is the bar that produces good judgements and good judges.”

Speaking at the felicitation ceremony Justice Viswanathan said that the ‘gracious words’ in the collegium resolution are a ‘not so gentle reminder’ of the duty that has been cast upon him.

Justice Viswanathan who was practicing as a Senior Counsel at the Supreme Court until his recent elevation said, “I’ve been an integral part of the bar association, day after day I’ve been here at the library, the canteen, the corridor, gossiping with you, making jokes”

Justice Viswanathan said that he was overwhelmed by the reception from the bar on his elevation. Justice Viswanathan also said that fraternity is the most important constitutional value and that the SCBA was an example of it:

“I am overwhelmed by the reception and the deep association I have had with you. The SCBA is different from other bar associations, because here you have people drawn from all states. It is an embodiment of what fraternity is. People from different regions, religions, castes coming together in harmony. Fraternity is the most important constitutional value embedded in the preamble and the SCBA is an example of it.”

Justices PK Misra and Viswanathan were appointed as Supreme Court judges on May 19.

You can watch the live streaming of the event here.