Judges too scared to give relief to opposition leaders for fear of offending government: Mahua Moitra in Lok Sabha

In an address to the Lok Sabha on Monday, All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC) Member of Parliament (MP) Mahua Moitra emphasised on the role of the judiciary as a pillar of democracy and called for 'judicial integrity' among judges..Moitra highlighted the resilience and bravery of India's poorest people, who, despite having the most to lose by offending those in power, rose to the occasion and voted against the BJP government in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections."Today I say the poorest people in India who have perhaps the most to lose from offending the government and power, they have shown spine and risen to the occasion. Your Lords and ladyships, heed thy inner voice, have a spine, rise to the occasion," she said..She criticised the judiciary for denying opposition leaders bail and justice, alleging that judges fear offending the government."It has come to such a state that opposition leaders framed in politically motivated cases are denied bail and denied justice simply because judges are even scared to touch their case for fear of offending the government."In this context, Moitra urged the judiciary follow the example of India's poor and to rise to the occasion..The MP made the remarks in her speech during the motion of thanks to the President's address in the Lower House of Parliament..Moitra referred to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud remarking in Kolkata that judges were not deities and were there to serve people with compassion and empathy. "Just as one can't be partly pregnant - you either are or you're not - justice in democracy too must be absolute. It cannot partly be in effect," she said..Grave danger when judges perceive themselves as deities in temples of justice: CJI DY Chandrachud.Moitra also raised concerns about the retirement age of judges, which is 62 for High Court judges and 65 for Supreme Court judges. She argued that this leads to High Court judges 'kowtowing' to the Supreme Court Collegium for a last minute elevation to be able to serve longer and qualify for holding other positions."Now, this has unfortunately contributed to High Court judges kowtowing to the Supreme Court Collegium and to the government for a last minute elevation to be able to serve for three more years and then qualify for further sinecures such as the head of the Lokpal, the head of the National Human Rights Commission, Chairmen of various tribunals," Moitra said.She later tweeted specifically on a PMLA court judge's son and the acting Chief Justice of a High Court. "PMLA court judge’s son may be on DDA panel and get fat fees. Acting Chief Justice desperately wants to be Chief Justice even for 1 day to qualify for post retirement sinecure. All too scared to give justice to Opposition leaders. Judiciary- please heed thy inner voice," the tweet read.