Office of CJI put to 'Agni Pariksha' every minute: NHRC chief

New Delhi: The office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is put to "Agni Pariksha" (test of fire) every minute, "not necessarily by sacred souls" at all times, NHRC chairperson Justice V Ramasubramanian (retd) said on Monday.

Addressing an event on the 33rd anniversary of the NHRC at Vigyan Bhawan here, he also said the office of the CJI has become the "single most important, the most powerful, the most vibrant, and at the same time, the most vulnerable office in the country".

He made the remarks in the presence of CJI Surya Kant on the dais, who was the chief guest on the occasion.


The chairperson said, "The office of the Chief Justice of India is an office which is put to the test of fire, 'Agni Pariksha', every day, nay, every minute, not necessarily by sacred souls at all times".

"Therefore, the CJI's acceptance of our invitation to be the chief guest, especially at a time when he is in great demand, is something remarkable. I owe a great deal of gratitude to him. Thank you, Chief. Given a chance, he may like to stay back," he said, without elaborating.

The remarks from the NHRC chief drew a lighter reaction from the gathering and the CJI.

The NHRC chief also thanked the CJI for accepting the invitation to be the chief guest at the event.

He said, exactly 33 years ago, the NHRC was born on October 12, 1993.

"In the past 33 years of its existence, the Commission has done a commendable job in promoting and protecting the human rights of the people of this country," the NHRC chairperson said.