'Incumbent Upon Judges To Exercise Utmost Discretion In What They Say In Courtrooms': President Kovind

Addressing the valedictory session of the Constitution Day celebrations at the Vigyan Bhavan, President Ram Nath Kovind asked the judged to “exercise utmost discretion in what they say in courtrooms.”

President Kovind stressed upon the fact that history shows that courts getting embroiled in the ‘passions of the day’ and assuming primary responsibility in choosing between competing political, economic and social pressures has a detrimental effect to the independence of the judiciary.

Firstly, the President appreciated India’s rich history of legions of such judges who are renowned for their remarks filled with sagacity and ‘conduct beyond reproach.’

“Hence, it is also incumbent upon judges to exercise utmost discretion in what they say in courtrooms. Indiscreet remarks, even if made with a good intention, give space for dubious interpretations to run down the judiciary,” President Kovind further cautioned in the event organised by the apex court.

He quoted former US judge Justice Frankfurter for this purpose, who had suggested that courts are not representative bodies and thus not designed as a good reflex of a democratic society.