Former chief justice of the Supreme Court of India, J.S. Verma, has often been identified with the judicial activism movement. But he has a caveat to add—judicial activism has to be legitimate. Verma’s views have to be seen in the context of recent orders passed by the apex court on Salwa Judum, black money and land acquisition that have left the legislature and the executive wondering if it does not impinge on the separation of powers. Justice Verma explains the thin line between overreach and intervention to Anuradha Raman. Excerpts: