Tripura Bar Council condemns Union Law Minister’s remarks on retired judge

New Delhi (India), March 25, 2023: The Tripura Bar Council has expressed its strong condemnation of the recent statements made by Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju regarding a retired judge.

The council alleges that these comments are an attempt by the Centre to interfere in the judiciary. During a conclave on March 18, Rijiju had reportedly claimed that some retired judges and activists who are “part of the anti-India gang” are attempting to make the Indian judiciary act as an opposition party. The Union Minister had also warned that those who worked against the country would have to pay a price.

The Tripura Bar Council President, Purushottam Ray Barman, stated that the Centre is trying to pressurize the judiciary by restricting former judges from speaking out against the government’s decisions. He also claimed that the Centre is attempting to capture all democratic institutions, including the Indian judiciary, and that the government wants the Supreme Court and the entire judiciary to be under its control.

The Bar Council President has written to the Supreme Court Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and other members of the collegium, requesting the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court and the filling up of vacant positions of High Court judges.

The Tripura Bar Council’s condemnation of the Union Minister’s comments highlights the growing tensions between the judiciary and the government. The Indian judiciary has been under scrutiny in recent times due to its handling of several high-profile cases.

The accusations of interference by the Centre are a cause for concern as they have the potential to undermine the independence of the judiciary. The judiciary is an essential pillar of democracy, and any attempt to undermine it must be taken seriously.