In light of open discussion around the possibility of opposition parties moving an impeachment motion against the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, a petition came to be heard before the Supreme Court today calling for restraint on discussion about judges by legislators and the media.
The Division Bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan were hearing a PIL filed by an organisation called ‘In Pursuit of Justice’.
Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora began her submissions by saying that for the judiciary to function fearlessly, there should be no discussion about judges after a certain point.
Arora cited the provision of Article 121 of the Constitution of India and a report by the Law Commission to back her submission.
The petitioner called for restraint on the discussion on judges by the media, as well as legislators on the floor of Parliament and outside.
The petition, as regards the elected representatives, states,
“We need not have to remind the legislators that they are normal citizens outside Parliament”, adding that beyond a point, there can’t a discussion (about judges).
Arora pointed out the volatile current scenario saying,
“We are divided on polarised lines.”
In response, Justice Sikri said,
“That’s very unfortunate and has been happening right now.”
On the question of the media, the petitioner cited Articles 121 and called upon the Bench to restrain the media, to which the Court said that the request was “not without merit”.
The Court then sought the assistance of Attorney General KK Venugopal to look into the matter of restraining Parliamentarians and the media.
