Sun Nov 10 19:18:42 UTC 2024: ## CJI Chandrachud’s Legacy: A Mixed Bag of Praise and Criticism

As Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud prepares to retire on Sunday, the legal community offers a mixed assessment of his tenure, acknowledging both his transformative contributions and areas where expectations remained unmet. While many celebrate his commitment to modernizing the judiciary and championing constitutional values, others express concerns over his approach to certain critical issues.

CJI Chandrachud is widely lauded for his dedication to incorporating technology into the legal system, spearheading initiatives like digital courts and virtual hearings. Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra highlighted the Chief Justice’s encouragement of the legal profession to embrace technology, even as some sought a return to pre-pandemic physical hearings. He also praised Chandrachud’s courteous demeanor and grace in conducting his court.

Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa described Chandrachud’s tenure as transformative, particularly commending his hands-on approach to addressing the Bar’s needs. He highlighted reforms like e-filing, virtual hearings, and digital record-keeping, which significantly enhanced access to justice for those facing geographical and financial constraints. Pahwa also emphasized the Chief Justice’s unwavering commitment to constitutional values, evident in landmark judgments like Puttaswamy v. Union of India and Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India.

Other prominent lawyers, such as Geeta Luthra, praised Chandrachud’s progressive approach in addressing crucial social issues like privacy, homosexuality, adultery, and same-sex marriage. She believes the judiciary under his leadership has effectively navigated the delicate balance between safeguarding human rights and maintaining a secure society.

However, not all evaluations were uniformly positive. Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde, while acknowledging Chandrachud’s intellectual brilliance, questioned aspects of his legacy, drawing parallels to the scrutiny faced by legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

Several lawyers expressed concern over Chandrachud’s focus on media perceptions and his perceived lack of engagement with critical issues like the Manipur violence, the Hindenburg report, the Pegasus controversy, and the Maharashtra political crisis. Senior Advocate Sanjoy Ghose felt these lapses overshadowed the Chief Justice’s other achievements, despite acknowledging his patience and courtesy.

Further criticisms emerged regarding a perceived disconnect between the judiciary and the Bar, with some lawyers feeling excluded from key decision-making processes. Vikas Singh pointed to a lack of focus on infrastructure for lawyers and questioned the decision to convert the Judges’ Library into a museum.

While CJI Chandrachud’s legacy undoubtedly includes significant achievements in modernizing the judiciary and upholding constitutional values, the diverse perspectives highlight that his tenure, like any, was not without its complexities and shortcomings.

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