Ex-CJI DY Chandrachud Addresses Key Judicial Controversies in BBC Interview

Former Chief Justice of India refutes claims about faith influencing rulings, discusses judiciary's evolution, and responds to criticism of key judgments.

DY Chandrachud denied allegations that he prayed to a deity for guidance before the 2019 Ayodhya Ram Mandir judgment, calling such claims 'completely incorrect.'
The former Chief Justice emphasized that his faith teaches him to be impartial and evenhanded in dispensing justice, irrespective of litigants' religious backgrounds.
Chandrachud rejected the notion that the Indian judiciary is dominated by upper-caste Hindu males, citing increasing gender diversity in lower judicial recruitment levels.
He defended the judiciary's independence, highlighting judgments that went against the Modi government and asserting that courtesy between constitutional functionaries does not influence rulings.
On controversial cases like Article 370, Chandrachud maintained that the judiciary upheld constitutional principles, while acknowledging the need to restore Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.

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