Supreme Court Bar Association Condemns Justice Arun Mishra's Praise For PM Modi [Read Resolution]

The SCBA has expressed strong reservations against Justice Mishra's remarks which it believes impinges upon judicial independence.

"The SCBA believes that the Independence of the Judiciary is the basic structure under the Constitution of India and that such independence be preserved in letter and spirit. The SCBA believes that any such statement reflects poorly on the Independence of the judiciary and so calls upon the Hon'ble Judges not to make statements in future nor show any proximity or closeness to the Executive including Higher Functionaries," the resolution dated February 26 read.

While delivering vote of thanks during the inaugural ceremony of the International Judges Conference on Saturday, Justice Mishra had said that PM Modi was a "versatile genius who thinks globally and act locally".

The SCBA resolution states that such "proximity and familiarity" of judicial functionaries with the government may impact the decision making process and may give rise to "justifiable doubts" in the minds of the litigants about the outcome.

"The SCBA also believes that such proximity and familiarity may impact the decision making process by the Hon'ble Judges and may give rise to justifiable doubts in the minds of the litigants about the outcome.

The SCBA reaffirms its faith in the Constitution of India and independence of the judiciary and calls upon all concerned in the Administration of Justice to work for the same in letter and spirit," the resolution read.

SCBA Secretary Ashok Arora has not signed in the resolution.

Also, Executive Members Advocates Prerna Kumari and Alka Agrawal expressed their dissent to the resolution.

A similar statement condemning Justice Mishra's remarks was issued by the Bar Association of India yesterday.

Read Resolution