In recent news, a significant development has unfolded in India's legal landscape as 21 retired judges from the Supreme Court and high courts penned a letter to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. The letter, titled "Need to safeguard judiciary from unwarranted pressures," underscores growing concerns about attempts to undermine the judiciary through calculated pressure, misinformation, and public disparagement.

The retired judges, including prominent names like Justice Deepak Verma, Justice Krishna Murari, Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, and Justice M R Shah, have expressed alarm over the escalating efforts by certain factions to erode public confidence in the judicial system. They point out that these critics, driven by narrow political interests and personal gains, are employing underhanded tactics to influence judicial proceedings and cast doubts on the integrity of courts and judges.

What triggered this response? The letter arrives amid a heated exchange between the ruling BJP and opposition parties regarding actions taken against some opposition leaders in corruption cases. As legal battles ensue and parties navigate through legal avenues seeking relief, allegations of selective judicial decisions have been raised, with the BJP emphasizing instances where relief wasn't granted to arrested leaders as a counter to opposition criticism.

The retired judges' concerns go beyond mere political skirmishes. They are particularly troubled by the tactics of misinformation and orchestrated public sentiment against the judiciary. They caution against selectively praising judicial decisions that align with specific views while vehemently criticizing those that don't, as it undermines the essence of judicial review and the rule of law.

This development echoes similar concerns voiced by 600 lawyers earlier, including senior advocate Harish Salve and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. They too highlighted the actions of a "specific interest group" tarnishing the judiciary's image.

In the face of these challenges, the retired judges have called upon the judiciary, led by the Supreme Court, to fortify against external pressures and ensure the preservation of the legal system's sanctity and autonomy. They emphasize the crucial role of an independent judiciary as a pillar of democracy, impervious to transient political interests.

The letter from these eminent jurists serves as a clarion call for upholding judicial independence, fair proceedings, and the integrity of India's legal framework. It sparks vital conversations about the intersection of politics and judiciary, urging stakeholders to uphold the principles of fairness and impartiality in legal matters of national significance.

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