Must protect integrity of judiciary: CJI Ramana

New Delhi, November 14

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana today emphasised the need to preserve, protect and promote the independence and integrity of the judiciary, saying there was no other way to live up to the faith of the people.

“It is, primarily, the ability of constitutional courts to function with absolute independence and necessary boldness in the face of adversity that defines the character of our institution. Our ability to uphold the Constitution sustains our impeccable character. There is no other way to live up to the faith of people,” the CJI said. He said, “Without robust justice delivery system at the grassroots level, we cannot imagine a healthy judiciary. Therefore, nothing is more important than to preserve, protect and promote the independence and integrity of the judiciary at all levels.”

He was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the National Legal Services Authority’s (NALSA) pan-India legal awareness and outreach campaign.

The ceremony of NALSA’s pan-India legal awareness and outreach campaign was also addressed by Woman and Child Development Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, NALSA Executive Chairman Justice UU Lalit and Justice AM Khanwilkar. Quoting Pt Nehru on the impact of poverty, the CJI said, “There could be no real freedom without economic freedom” and that “to call a starving man free, is but to mock him”.