New Delhi: In a letter to chief justices of high courts across the country, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Wednesday wrote that “self-reflection and consultation within the judiciary is necessary”. The CJI was referring to a letter from the registrar of the Allahabad High Court seeking an explanation from the railway authorities for the inconvenience caused to a judge of the Allahabad High Court during his train journey from New Delhi to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh earlier this month. ThePrint has seen the CJI’s letter.
In a purported letter dated July 14 to the general manager of North Central Railway that went viral on social media earlier this week, Allahabad High Court Registrar (Protocol) Ashish Kumar Srivastava sought an explanation on the “inconvenience” caused to Justice Gautam Chaudhary when he On July 8, he was traveling in Purushottam Express from New Delhi to Prayagraj.
The letter claimed that refreshments were not provided to the judge after the train was delayed by more than three hours, causing “immense inconvenience and displeasure to His Lordship”.
The CJI’s letter states that a High Court judge does not have disciplinary jurisdiction over railway personnel. Therefore, it claimed, “there was no occasion for any officer of the High Court to seek an explanation from the railway personnel”.
It added that the communication “has given rise to justified disquiet, both within and outside the judiciary”.
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‘Credibility and Legitimacy of the Judiciary’
“The protocol ‘facilities’ that are made available to judges should not be used to assert a claim of privilege that sets them apart from society or as an expression of power or authority. The CJI’s letter said, “The wise exercise of judicial authority, both inside and outside the bench, maintains the credibility and legitimacy of the judiciary and society’s trust in its judges.”
The CJI said he is writing to all chief justices of high courts “with a sincere request to share their concerns with all colleagues in high courts”.
The letter states: “Introspection and consultation within the judiciary is necessary. Protocol facilities made available to judges should not be used in a manner that causes inconvenience to others or public criticism of the judiciary.
(Edited by Smriti Sinha)