Jahanvi Agarwal
On August 22, 2023, a ceremony was held by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to honor Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice SV Bhatti as newly appointed Supreme Court judges. Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said that the “Supreme Court is not a polyvocal court, rather it is a people-centric court.”
The CJI stated that:
“their elevation reaffirms that this is not the Supreme Court of just Delhi or Maharashtra. This is the Supreme Court of India. Our aim here is make sure that it reflects the diversity of India.”
According to the Chief Justice, one of the key goals of the collegium when choosing judges is to make sure that they represent the variety of the nation.
CJI was of the opinion that:
“This has been one of the missions of the Collegium. To ensure we represent the richness and diversity of India. Many people have been critical of the Supreme Court for being a polyvocal court. But let us look at the flip side, the reason we are polyvocal is because no two judges are similar. Here a judge from Maharashtra and West Bengal sit together in a bench to decide a matter from Haryana. This is the true essence of the Supreme Court. Each judge brings their own unique experience to the table.”
The CJI emphasized the significance of such variety and stated that it was necessary to do so in order to gain the public’s trust. “People won’t begin to trust the judicial system until they perceive themselves reflected in those who administer justice.”
Furthermore, he said that the value of cooperation between the bar and the bench is for the average person.
The CJI further announced that:
“there is a degree of solidarity between bar and the bench. We stand together for one cause irrespective of religion, language, caste, affiliation…in the mission to render justice to common citizens. We are tied together in the noble object of furthering the cause of justice, whether we are members of the bar, whether we are judges.”