‘Easy to Criticise’: CJI Misra on That Press Conference, Finally

Taking an apparent dig, CJI Misra spoke about the “need to transcend one’s personal ambitions or grievances”.

Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.

(Photo: Erum Gour/The Quint)

Nearly eight months after the four senior-most judges in the Supreme Court held a press conference in a show of dissent with the judiciary, the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on Wednesday, 15 August, said it was "easy to criticise, attack and destroy a system", rather than attempt to transform it.

CJI Misra, addressing the Independence Day function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association within the premises of the court, insisted on "positive and concrete reforms" that need to be coupled with responsibility.

In an apparent dig at the press conference, he further spoke about the "need to transcend one's personal ambitions or grievances" and making "constructive checks," reported NDTV.

"There may be some elements who try to weaken the institution," but the judiciary will refuse to succumb, he said.

On 12 January, four judges – Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph – held what was an "unprecedented press conference", attacking the Chief Justice over allocation of cases, among other issues.

(With inputs from NDTV.)