The judiciary has consistently recognised the invaluable contribution of the Bar in preserving constitutional principles: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday said the Bar plays an indispensable role in strengthening the rule of law and upholding the sanctity of the Constitution, and stressed its importance in providing legal aid to vulnerable and marginalised sections of society.
Addressing a gathering at a Constitution Day event organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the CJI said the judiciary has consistently recognised the invaluable contribution of the Bar in preserving constitutional principles.
CJI Kant said, “As we celebrate the moment when the people of India gifted unto themselves their most fundamental covenant, I must emphasise that the Bar occupies an indispensable place in fortifying the rule of law and upholding the sanctity of our Constitution. If the courts are regarded as the sentinels of the Constitution, then the members of the Bar are the torchbearers who illuminate our path. They help us discharge our solemn duty with clarity and conviction.”
The CJI said he often speaks about the “invisible victims” of the judicial system, adding that he sincerely believes only the Bar can rescue them from such hardship.
“Your perspectives matter deeply, and the seriousness with which you engage in your craft directly shapes the transformation of our constitutional future. Beyond assisting us in constitutional matters, it is vital that the Bar takes purposeful steps to spread the letter and spirit of our founding document. This includes providing legal aid to those who are vulnerable or living on the margins of society, and aligning oneself with the vision embedded in the Directive Principles of State Policy,” he said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted the beauty of the Constitution, noting that the three wings, the judiciary, the executive and the legislature, function independently while maintaining internal checks and balances.
“If the executive acts in conflict with the Constitution, the judiciary has supremacy. But ultimately, no organ is supreme, only the Constitution is supreme and sovereign. We must remember that whenever the legislature or the executive has drifted from constitutional morality or ethos, the judiciary has stepped in and ensured that the Constitution functions as intended by its framers,” Mehta said.
SCBA president and Senior Advocate Vikas Singh said the law can remain meaningful and accessible only when three pillars of the legal system are strengthened: law-making, justice delivery and access to the justice system for every citizen.
Raising concerns over black money in elections and the entry of people with criminal backgrounds into Parliament, he said, “This is an area where we must introspect and determine what more can be done to ensure that the right people are elected to Parliament.”
