Don’t see God in the judge, see God in justice : Supreme Court, New Delhi

New Delhi – Judges are public servants. Please do not see God in us; instead, see God in justice — this was the observation made by the Supreme Court in a case related to a temple in Uttar Pradesh. The lawyer handling the case had requested permission to withdraw from it. At that time, the court made this remark and granted the lawyer permission to withdraw.

Earlier Statements by Judges

1. In 2024, retired Chief Justice Dhananjaya Chandrachud, while speaking at the inaugural session of a conference in Kolkata, said:
“The role of judges is to serve the people, not to be revered as gods. When people say ‘The court is a temple of justice,’ it poses a serious danger — because then judges may begin to see themselves as deities within that temple.”

"Don't see God in us, see God in justice" : SC observes during hearing on Uttar Pradesh temple case, emphasizing judges are public servants. pic.twitter.com/exoAoZ8Tls

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) July 5, 2025

2. In 2023, Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan of the Kerala High Court said:
“Courts are often referred to as temples of justice. However, no god is seated on the bench. Judges are simply fulfilling their constitutional duties.”