In a speech on the Independence Day, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud referred to demolitions and arbitrary arrests while while speaking on the role of the Supreme Court in today's India.
Chandrachud's reference comes at a time when demolition of properties of accused has become a trend across states, mainly those ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the arrest and detention of government critics have also come under criticism.
In his speech, Chandrachud also said the Judiciary faces a challenge is removing barriers from access to justice and that there is a roadmap in place.
Speaking at an event organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Chandrachud said there should be confidence in the Judiciary in matters of arbitrary arrests of threatened demolition.
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"That sense of confidence in an individual that an arbitrary arrest, a threatened demolition, if their properties are attached unlawfully, must find solace and a voice in judges of the Supreme Court," said Chandrachud, as per NDTV, without naming any particular incident.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal was on the stage as a special guest when Chandrachud made these remarks.
Lately, the Haryana government demolished hundreds of structures after violence communal violence in the state that killed six people. The violence began in Nuh on July 31 when a Hindu organisation's religious procession was attacked and five people were killed in the violence. The violence then spread to Gurugram where mosques were attacked and a Muslim cleric was killed. Following the violence, several shanties, a hotel, and several shops were demolished.
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The demolition was stopped by the Punjab and Haryana High Court that "asserted that one of the issues arising out of the Nuh demolitions was whether the state was conducting 'ethnic cleansing', according to The Tribune.
Speaking at the SCBA event, Chandrachud further said, "I believe the challenge of the judiciary is to eliminate the barriers of access to justice and have a roadmap in place to ensure the judiciary is accessible and inclusive to the last person in line."
Chandrachud also said "storms on the horizon" have emerged over the years but the flag still remained high over the years.
"After 76 years, our tricolour flutters in the winds of liberty and equality. There are times when the wind has stood still and there have been storms on the horizon, but the flag serves as a symbol of our collective heritage and guides us towards our future aspirations," said Chandrachud, as per NDTV.
Chandrachud said the new Supreme Court building is part of the judicial overhaul that's aimed at making justice for accessible. He said the Apex Court will add 27 additional courtrooms, four registrar courtrooms, and more facilities for lawyers and litigants
