Justice Chandrachud: “Regardless of the curbs, the courts the duty to protect the rights of citizens’

Justice D y Chandrachud said that it is the duty of the courts to ensure accountability and to protect the rights of citizens. (Express file photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Although the increase of the action of the government is necessary during a public health emergency, it is the duty of the courts to ensure accountability and to protect the rights of citizens, judge of the Supreme Court of Justice D y Chandrachud said Sunday.

“All emergency situations, including a public health crisis that we are in vest substantial powers in the executive. During a public health crisis, the increase of the action of government may be necessary to preserve the public health and welfare. However, regardless of government action and restrictions, it is above all, the duty of the courts — civil, criminal and constitutional to protect the rights of the citizens and ensure government accountability and the rule of law,” he said.

The judge, who heads the e-committee of the SC, which is responsible for the supervision of the digitization of the court, was speaking at a seminar organized by Nyaya Forum of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research, Hyderabad on the topic “the Future of Virtual Courts and Access to Justice in India’.

“I want to dissuade people of the idea that virtual court hearings are a kind of panacea. We had no choice in the pandemic, but to resort to this. You will not be able to replace the physics of the hearings of the court,” Justice Chandrachud said.

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