It is cause for concern that there are negative reports about highly respected constitutional bodies such as the Election Commission, the Comptroller and the Auditor General, and the Central Bureau of Investigation, to name a few. But what is worrying is a recent addition to the list — the judiciary (Editorial page, “A miscarriage of justice”, and OpEd page, “The Supreme Court belongs to everyone”, both May 7). Never could one have imagined in one’s wildest dreams that there would be a complaint of sexual harassment against the Chief Justice of India. At a time when most political leaders and the executive have fallen from grace, the only bastion of hope is the judiciary. It is frightening to think of the pillars of democracy crumbling one after the other. If democracy is to survive, all the wings should display exemplary behaviour and respectful conduct. The fourth pillar too should do likewise by keeping its moral standards above reproach.
A. Michael Dhanaraj,
Coimbatore
The very serious charge levelled against the Chief Justice of India is a case in which the institution itself was on trial and which demanded the highest standards of fairness. An ex-parte inquiry, after denying the woman employee legal assistance, has belied the expectations of the people. To top it all, making the procedure opaque by not releasing the findings of the committee raises questions about the right to information. There is a real danger that the top court may no longer claim to be the sentinel qui vive.
D. Nagasaila,
Ram Siddhartha,
Chennai