’Social media has posed as one of the biggest challenges’: CJI Chandrachud at HTLS 2022

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2022, Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud on Saturday said that social media has posed as one of the biggest challenges. "Very often it's not very easy to distinguish between what lies in the realm of policy and what lies in the realm of legality," CJI Chandrachud said.

“Real time reporting by judge is put out on Twitter or Telegram and instagram and you are constantly evaluated. If a judge keeps quiet it will have a dangerous effect on decision making. We need to refashion ourselves, recoup and rethink ourselves how we adapt to challenges of our age,” the CJI said.

CJI Chandrachud also said that technology has a huge potential to change the traditional ways of working as judges. "Court buildings create an awe to the minds of litigants....that was mind of colonial design. Courts are instruments of nation state. Equally we are service providers to citizens," he said.

The CJI further said, "We have tried to merge the e-court services with the Common Service Centres so that the services which we provide to citizens can reach out to every gram panchayat in India. Live Streaming of many HCs have begun. We need to live stream proceedings of district judiciary as it is the first interface for citizens."

Justice Chandrachud was recently sworn in as the 50th Chief Justice of India. He is often referred to as DYC in legal circles and is known for giving law a human face.

"Serving common people is my priority. Please look forward. I will work for all the citizens of the country. Be it in technology or be it in registry...or be it in judicial reforms, I will take care of citizens in every aspect," he said in his brief interaction with reporters as he took a round of the SC premises.

The CJI also said that heading the Indian judiciary was a "great opportunity and responsibility".

In response to a question as to how he will ensure trust of people in judiciary, Justice Chandrachud said, "I will ensure trust of citizens not only through words but through my work".

CJI Chandrachud, who succeeded Justice UU Lalit, will be the CJI until 10 November, 2024, a day before he completes 65 years. Justice Lalit had a short tenure of 74 days.