Congress raises judiciary independence concerns citing retired judge's memoir

The Congress party intensified its scrutiny of judicial independence on Tuesday, drawing attention to claims in an unpublished manuscript by a retired Supreme Court judge. Party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh shared reports quoting from the forthcoming memoir 'Without Fear of Favour,' which allegedly contains critical observations about judicial functioning under the Modi administration.

According to the pre-publication manuscript, former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud reportedly displayed excessive deference to the government in matters related to judicial appointments, the Congress claimed. The allegation forms part of broader concerns raised by the opposition party regarding potential institutional pressures on the judiciary during the current tenure.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions between various political parties and the judiciary over appointment processes and judicial decision-making. The Congress has previously raised questions about the independence of constitutional institutions, framing them as central to democratic functioning in India.

The memoir, authored by the retired judge, is expected to provide an insider's perspective on judicial operations and governance during recent years. The publication is likely to reignite debates about the autonomy of the judiciary and its relationship with the executive branch of government.