Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud refrains from expressing his stance on the basic structure doctrine during a lecture on the topic, emphasizing his intention to convey his views through legal judgments rather than public forums.
Delivering the keynote address on "Has the basic structure doctrine served the nation well" at an event commemorating the late Ram Jethmalani's birth centenary, CJI Chandrachud stated, "I will speak about the doctrine through my judgments and not here."
He went on to commend Jethmalani's legacy, highlighting the need to emulate his contributions and the socio-political context in which he operated. The CJI praised Jethmalani's achievements in the legal field and his role in democratizing legal education and advocating for access to justice.
CJI Chandrachud also discussed the Supreme Court's adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the implementation of e-filing and measures aimed at reducing barriers to accessing justice.
In response to criticisms about the functioning of the Supreme Court Collegium, particularly regarding its transparency, the CJI disclosed the establishment of a research and planning center within the Collegium. This center, managed by an officer from the Haryana judicial service, assesses judgments of High Court judges under consideration for elevation to the Supreme Court. The CJI emphasized the commitment to transparency, not through public discussions but by introducing selection boards for High Courts to review the process.
TAGS: CJI Chandrachud Basic Structure Doctrine Lecture Judgments Ram Jethmalani Legacy Access to Justice COVID-19 Supreme Court Collegium Transparency Research and Planning Center.
