FIT IN CONSULTANTS

Abhishek Singhvi, Rajya Sabha MP and chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs, said a climate of fear and hesitation has permeated the judiciary.

Congress leader Abhishek Singhi was a panelist at India Today Conclave East 2022 session titled “Balance of Power: The Fine Line Between Judicial Overreach and Executive Inaction”. Abhishek Singhvi was joined on stage by former Supreme Court judge Justice AK Ganguly and Devajit Saikia, Advocate General, Assam government.

Conclave East 2022 Full Coverage

Talking about the present scenario, Abhishek Singhvi said, “There has been a certain climate of fear and hesitation created and that has permeated judiciary.”

“There are cases where your promotions or appointments are held back,” Abhishek Singhvi said.

Expanding on the role the judiciary should play, Abhishek Singhvi said, “Courts have to start giving strictures, start making strong comments so that preventive justice starts happening. So that police official hesitate before making an arrest.”

Referring to the arrest of Alt-News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, Abhishek Singhvi said, “Four-year old tweet can be dealt with without arresting.”

ON JUDGES’S OBSERVATION

Talking about the judges’ observations making headlines in recent cases, Abhishek Singhvi said, “ Judges made the observation while making the judgement and so it is not judicial over reach.”

Devajit Saikia said, “Problem is with the reporting. Deliberation between the judges and the lawyers comes in the newspaper rather than the judgement.”

Former SC judge Justice AK Ganguly said the judges should exercise restraint, but added that the reporters also have a responsibility.

“Judges should always exercise restraint, they should always be careful of the fact that these days reporting take a different turn. But reporters also have a responsibility to ensure the administration of justice does not suffer,” AK Ganguly said.