Chief Justice of India N.V Ramana is known for his virtues and values for upholding democratic standards and keeps on emphasizing the importance of strengthening the Judiciary. Often in his judgments, he has criticized media, bureaucracy, police, and the governments on the manner of their functioning.
Justice Ramana once again on the same note has issued a disparaging statement on the manner how media is functioning in the country, he said, "Biased views being propagated by media are affecting the people, weakening democracy, and harming the system. In this process, justice delivery gets adversely affected. By overstepping and breaching your responsibility, you are taking our democracy two steps backward."
Justice Ramana spoke at length on matters about democracy, judiciary, media, constitution, politics, and other relevant domains around the public sphere. Concerning the matter of security to judges post their retirement CJI added, "Politicians, bureaucrats, police officers and other public representatives are often provided with security even after their retirement owing to the sensitiveness of their jobs. Ironically, judges are not extended similar protection."
His scathing remarks on media were the focal point of the entire event. The media trial has diminished the standards of media and is affecting the thought process of viewers, he further adds to this, "Of late, we see the media running kangaroo courts, at times on issues even experienced judges find difficult to decide. Ill-informed and agenda-driven debates on issues involving justice delivery are proving to be detrimental to the health of democracy."
CJI was addressing THE INAUGURAL JUSTICE S.B SINHA MEMORIAL LECTURE ON “L IFE OF A JUDGE,” in Ranchi. The beginning of his speech was made in reference to Justice Sinha on whose name this lecture was made. “It is a great privilege and honor to be delivering the inaugural lecture instituted in the memory of Shri Justice Satya Brata Sinha. Justice Sinha will be remembered as one of the greatest jurists of the Indian judiciary.”
CJI Ramana was seen as concerned about the functioning of bureaucracy and other public offices. Similar remarks were made by him earlier in some of his judgments. "Till a few decades ago, expectations from a judge were limited to the resolution of a dispute between parties before the courts. Now, every conceivable problem in society is expected to be addressed by the judiciary,” said CJI on the matter.
He also commented on the role of judges with regard to the problem of delivering judgments in the present context, he said, “Doing justice is not an easy responsibility. It is becoming increasingly challenging with each passing day. At times, there are also concerted campaigns in media, particularly on social media against judges."
CJI was accompanied by the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court Justice Ravi Ranjan at the lecture. He also inaugurated two sub-divisional court complexes at Chandil and Nagar Untari. The occasion was graced by several eminent personalities in the legal and public sphere.