"Give Us A Break, There's A Limit To Targeting Judges": Justice DY Chandrachud

On Thursday, an Advocate mentioned a petition highlighting violence against the Christian community and therefore, sought urgent listing of the same.

Hearing this, Justice Chandrachud observed that he had come across a certain news article indicating that the supreme court is delaying the hearing in the said matter.

"I was down with Covid, so the matter could not be taken up. But I recently read a news article saying the Supreme court is delaying the hearing in the matter......Give us a break! One of the judges was down with covid, that's why we couldn't hear it. There's a limit to how much you can target judges....Who is publishing such news?..."

On July 19, certain news portals had carried the news of the Supreme Court adjourning the petition to a later date titled "India's top court delays hearing anti-Christian violence plea".

The Bench which also consisted of Justice Surya Kant subsequently agreed to list the matter for hearing.

"....Alright, list it. Otherwise there will be another news item."

In April, a writ petition was filed before the Supreme Court seeking directions to stop violence and mob attacks against the members of the Christian Community in various states across the country. Archbishop Of Bangalore Diocese Dr. Peter Machado along with the National Solidarity Forum, the Evangelical Fellowship of India moved the plea.

In the last week of June, the Supreme Court agreed to list the petition on July 11, 2022. Senior Advocate Dr Colin Gonsalves mentioned the petition before a vacation bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala for urgent listing saying that the attacks against Christian institutions are on the rise in the country. 

On July 11, a Bench of Justices DY Chamdrachud and Justice AS Bopanna posted the matter for hearing on July 15. However, the matter could not be taken up as Justice Chadrachud was down with COVID-19 virus.

Recently, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justice JB Pardiwala had expressed anguish at the trend of personal attacks against judges in social media.