Over 700 lawyers write to CJI, raise concerns over 'institutional disruptors'

NEW DELHI: Over 700 lawyers on Wednesday wrote to Chief Justice of India SA Bobde highlighting their concerns regarding the trend of browbeating and intimidating the judiciary.
In a statement, the lawyers said that India has witnessed a series of attacks by "institutional disruptors" against judges who are unwilling to agree with them and toe the line drawn by them.
The lawyers said that it was unfortunate that when political ends of lawyers are not served by a decision of the court, they vilify the court by making scandalizing remarks.
"The Supreme Court of India as well as the judges are subject to both scurrilous language, malicious attacks and scandalizing remarks. Legitimate criticism of both judgments and the functioning of the institution has always existed. However, when the criticism is calculated and actuated by malice, it is the authority of the court which is undermined," the statement read.
The lawyers further said that if the judiciary is to perform its duties and functions effectively, it is essential to protect the dignity and authority of the courts.
"The foundation of the judiciary is the confidence of the people in its ability to deliver justice. The actions of these institutional disruptors through name calling and usage of certain phrases such as ‘Supreme Court has destroyed democracy’; ‘the Supreme Court is killing the Constitution’ have the tendency to destroy the faith of the public in the judiciary," it said.

The lawyers urged the CJI to "uphold the edifice of the judicial system" and protect the third pillar of our democracy from those who peddle falsehood to destroy the institution.
The lawyers hoped that the Supreme Court of India will ensure that such persons are dealt with in an exemplary manner.
The letter to CJI Bobde was signed by over 750 lawyers.