CJI Surya Kant emphasizes judicial transparency and accountability

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has emphasized that the judiciary must remain open to scrutiny, questioning, and criticism to maintain public confidence. Speaking at the 6th Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, Kant stated that the institution cannot seek trust by placing itself beyond examination.

Kant highlighted that true transparency extends beyond open courtrooms and public hearings. He argued that courts must make the reasoning behind their decisions accessible to the public, particularly to those affected by the rulings. He noted that a court which announces a verdict but withholds its underlying reasoning has not achieved genuine transparency.

Furthermore, the Chief Justice distinguished between public approval and public trust. He asserted that judicial legitimacy is not earned by delivering popular outcomes or being liked, but rather by ensuring the fairness of the legal process. Citing legal research, he noted that individuals are more likely to retain confidence in the justice system if they believe the process was fair, even when the final decision goes against them.