Using social media to troll judges is a concern, says Law Minister

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday flagged the federal government’s concern over “social media campaigns” carried out in opposition to particular person judges for his or her judicial opinions and judgments.

The Minister, who is additionally accountable for the Information Technology, Electronics and Communications portfolios, criticised “some people” who file PILs in court docket, marketing campaign on social media for a explicit judgment, and later troll judges when the decision doesn’t meet their expectations. He termed it “campaign justice”.

Judiciary must be free to work in accordance with the rule of legislation, Mr. Prasad mentioned.

Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde mentioned judges had turn out to be fairly used to the PIL route getting used for submitting frivolous petitions.

“The administration of justice is often tried to be made difficult by some vested interests. But that is something we as judges have got used to,” CJI Bobde mentioned.

They had been talking in Goa on the inaugural operate of the brand new constructing of the Bombay High Court.

“I am a great supporter of social media. It is empowering. Social media enables people to ask questions, to criticise the Prime Minister, us and all. That is part of a healthy democracy. Therefore, we all encourage that,” Mr. Prasad mentioned.

But he mentioned there was a “disturbing trend” on the rise in social media.

“Some people file PILs, then they start a campaign on social media ‘that only this type of judgment is possible in this case’. And, if the judgment does not come in accord with what they perceive to be their right, then they start not only criticising the judges but also trolling judges… You can always criticise a judgment, that’s your right, but if you start campaigning against a judge on social media, it is plainly not fair,” Mr. Prasad mentioned

The Law Minister mentioned the sleek transition of the courts to the digital mode throughout the pandemic was a “remarkable achievement”. A complete of over 82 lakh instances had been heard via video conferencing.

Chief Justice Bobde mentioned courtrooms would certainly shrink sooner or later with the e-filing of instances. The requirement of huge storage areas can be a factor of the previous.

“Though building more courtrooms is necessary and important, there was very little emphasis on modernising the existing courtrooms. Though the pandemic has posed a lot of problems to access to justice, it has paved the way for modernising the courtroom,” Chief Justice Bobde mentioned.

The CJI mentioned he had spent a lot time on the Bench in Goa that he is usually referred to as a “Goa judge”.

The CJI drew consideration to the truth that Goa is the one the State that implements the Uniform Civil Code as envisaged by the framers of the Indian Constitution. He mentioned “intellectuals” ought to examine the Goa mannequin of the Code.