Media is running 'Kangaroo Courts' ! : Chief Justice N.V. Ramana

Ranchi (Jharkhand) – Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana came down heavily on the media for airing agenda-driven debates and running kangaroo courts. ‘Media trials cannot be a guiding factor in deciding cases. Of late, we see the media running kangaroo courts at times on issues even experienced judges find difficult to decide. Ill-informed and agenda-driven debates on issues involving justice delivery are proving to be detrimental to the health of democracy’, CJI said while delivering the inaugural lecture instituted in the memory of Justice Satya Brata Sinha in Ranchi.

“Media Running Kangaroo Courts, Agenda-Driven Debates” : CJI Ramana Expresses Concerns Over Campaigns Against Judges https://t.co/elI7n1dWFV

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Views expressed by Chief Justice N V Ramana

Electronic media has left with no accountability !

We cannot run away from our accountability. This ‘trend’ (of running kangaroo courts) is taking us backwards. While there is still a certain degree of accountability left in the print media (newspapers), electronic media has zero accountability as what it shows vanishes into thin air.

Judges cannot turn a blind eye to social reality !

Judges cannot be blind to social reality. In order to save society and avoid struggle, judges have to prioritise high-pressure cases. The biggest challenge before the judiciary at present is prioritising the matters for adjudication.

Increase in attacks on judges !

Politicians, bureaucrats, and Police officers are often given security even after retirement. Ironically, judges do not receive protection as they do. Physical assaults on judges have been on the rise in recent times. Judges have to live without protection in the society in which the people they convict live.

The life of a judge is not easy !

People often complain about the long pendency of the cases at all levels of the Indian judicial system. On multiple occasions, I have highlighted the issues leading to the pending cases. I have been strongly advocating the need to revamp the infrastructure – both physical and personal, to enable the judges to function to their full potential. People have a misconception that the life of a judge is very easy. This is difficult to swallow.

Editorial Viewpoint

People think that the Court should have a watch on such media !