During the 21st Biennial State Level Conference of Judicial Officers in Bengaluru, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud recounted an incident where he was ridiculed on social media due to a “doctored” video clip from a Supreme Court hearing. He mentioned being labelled as “arrogant” because of this doctored video.
Chandrachud emphasised the impact of social media on the scrutiny of judicial proceedings, noting that the Supreme Court’s live streaming of hearings exposes justices to nationwide observation. However, he pointed out the downside of this accessibility, citing a recent incident where he was subjected to trolling.
“I had a little pain in my back, so all that I did was I placed my elbows in my armchair in the court and I just shifted my position in the chair.”
That video was doctored…there was a big amount of social media comment that the Chief Justice of India is so arrogant that he got up in the midst of an important argument in the court,” Chandrachud said.
“What they didn’t tell you was that all he did was only to shift his position in the chair. 24 years of judging can be a little strenuous which I have put in. I didn’t leave the court. I only shifted my position but I was subject to vicious abuse, trolling, the knives were out,” the CJI said.
Chandrachud emphasised that while judges must endure criticism, their confidence ultimately rests on the trust of the common citizens in their work.
Addressing gender equality in the judiciary, he stressed the need for more than just an increase in the number of women in the profession. Chandrachud highlighted the importance of providing adequate facilities for women, especially in district courts.
“It must be highlighted that the women have distinct sanitation need as compared to men, especially with regard to menstrual hygiene…it is not enough to have separate female washrooms, but such washroom must be female friendly, providing for the unique sanitation needs,” Chandrachud said. He informed that only a meagre 6.7 percent of districts courts across India have washrooms that are female friendly and have the facility of sanitary napkin vending machines. “…This should happen at district courts across the nation…,” CJI Chandrachud stated.
