Justice DY Chandrachud who has taken over as the Chief Justice of India on November 9 will have a term of almost two years which should give him enough time to streamline the judiciary and regain its independence which his two immediate predecessors strenuously worked towards after the muck left behind by their three predecessors. Strengthening the independence of our judiciary is now on the shoulders of our Chief Justice Chandrachud. There should be zero tolerance to even the faintest governmental interference in the functioning of our judiciary. An effective judiciary guarantees fairness in judicial processes and transparency. Transparency is a fundamental component of judicial independence. Any direct or indirect interference by the politicians in the selection, elevation and promotion of judges or even in their transfer is a threat to the very independence of the judiciary. If the judiciary is reduced to being a mouthpiece of the government, the courts will lose all relevance. It has to be ensured that judicial accountability is maintained at all times with every judge conforming to the highest standards of uprightness and integrity to the rule of law.
