CJI NV Ramana slams media for 'running kangaroo courts'

Delivering a lecture at an academic event in Ranchi, Ramana said as quoted by NDTV, "There are concerted campaigns in social media against judges. Judges may not react immediately. Please don't mistake it for weakness or helplessness."

"New media tools have enormous amplifying ability but appear to be incapable of distinguishing between the right and the wrong, the good and the bad and the real and the fake," he added.

Further the CJI added, "Media trials cannot be a guiding factor in deciding cases. 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," he adds.

The CJI's strong remarks came following a Supreme Court verdict which had criticised ex-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma's Prophet Muhammed comment that had triggered violent protests across the country.

The Supreme Court had said, "She faces threats or she has become a security threat? This lady is single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country."

"We saw the debate on how she was incited. But the way she said all this and later says she was a lawyer. It is shameful. She should apologise to the whole country," it added.