Supreme Court Judge Justice Mukeshkumar Rasikbhai Shah has now termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “our most popular, loved, vibrant and visionary leader” while speaking at a virtual function for the release of a commemorative stamp on the occasion of the diamond jubilee of the Gujarat High Court. On 12th August 2018, the very Justice Shah had called PM Modi as his “model and hero” while speaking to the press after he was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. In less than three months on 2nd November of that very year Justice Shah was elevated as a Supreme Court Judge. Last year, now-retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Arun Mishra had courted controversy by saying that “PM Modi was a versatile genius who thinks globally and acts locally” while speaking at a public function. The Supreme Court Bar Association later passed a resolution criticizing Justice Mishra’s comments as ‘reflecting poorly on judicial independence’. The most important and vital tenet of our Indian Constitution is the separation of powers and is very clear on the distinct roles of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. These three wings are expected to operate very independently in their respective earmarked fields. There is a need for concerted efforts toward propping up the highest standards of judicial accountability. The loyalty of every judge in our country has to be the very sacred Constitution of India. Andrew Jackson, the late American President believed that all the rights secured to the citizens under the Constitution are worth nothing except guaranteed to them by an independent and virtuous judiciary.
