The letter dated March 26- whose signatories include eminent advocates like Harish Salve, Manan Kumar Mishra, Adish Agarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, among others- states that they are writing to express deep concern over “the manner in which a vested interest group is trying to pressure the judiciary, influence judicial process and defame our courts on the basis of frivolous logic and stale political agendas”. They further alleged that this poses a significant threat to the democratic fabric and the trust placed in judicial processes.
Prime Minister Modi endorsed this letter, stating on social media site X: “To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. 5 decades ago itself they had called for a ‘committed judiciary’- they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests but desist from any commitment towards the nation. No wonder 140 crore Indians are rejecting them.”
The lawyers expressed concern over the methods used, including the propagation of false narratives about a so-called ‘golden era’ of the judiciary, aimed at discrediting current proceedings and undermining public confidence in the courts.
The letter states that the interest group is creating “false narratives” about the judiciary’s past to undermine current court proceedings and public trust. Accusations include ‘bench fixing’, disrespectful comparisons of domestic courts to those in lawless regimes, and direct attacks on judges’ honour. The lawyers charged that the interest group engages in selective criticism or praise of court decisions depending on their own political agenda.
