Judicial independence must be upheld: CJI RM Lodha

While giving the inaugural speech at a conference organized by the Bar Association of India in New Delhi, CJI emphasized on the levels of corruption that has creeped into judiciary and urged everyone to eradicate corruption out of the judiciary system and upheld the judicial independence.

"There are people who play trick on judges and are prepared to tempt judges and please them. We have to ensure that corruption is eradicated in all forms in judiciary" he said.

According to Lodha, as things change and economy grows, corruption also grows.

“Don't do anything that brings corruption in judiciary," he added.

Chief Justice Lodha said that time has come to make judiciary corruption-free.

"By and large, people understand that judicial independence is something which cannot be touched. Judicial independence will be upheld."

He felt that as long as there is judicial independence, the rule of law will be strengthened.

Asserting that judiciary has inherent strength, Lodha said no effort will succeed in taking away its independence.

"The independence of the judiciary is not negotiable. I can say with confidence that judicial independence has come to stay and no effort will succeed in taking it away,” expressed Lodha.

"Independence of judiciary leads to confidence in mind of public that it will come to their aid and rescue if any wrong is committed by the executive," he said.

He also spoke on the judicial power granted by the constitution to the Indian Supreme Court, saying, "Indian Supreme Court can not only annul the ordinary law enacted by the parliament but can also annul the amendment in the constitution by invoking basic structure doctrine."