Judges should not cross 'Lakshman Rekha': SC judge Kurien Joseph

KOZHIKODE: Judges should not cross the ' Lakshman Rekha' as this would amount to showing disrespect to the Constitution, according to Supreme Court Judge Kurien Joseph.

Addressing a national seminar here on 'Current issues before the legal profession and the judiciary' over the weekend, he said the duty of a judge is confined to law only and judges should not take up the role of political executives or the media.

"Judges should have a clear idea about their role. A judge is not a political executive and judges are here to discharge justice. They should only comment on their cases and not think of breaking news," he said.

"Judges should not cross the Lakshman Rekha as it would be disrespect of the Constitution and the system," he said.

He was also of the view that media should not encourage judges who make unnecessary comments during a trial, apparently referring to the recent comments made by Kerala High Court judge Alexander Thomas on the functioning of Advocate General's office.

"Avoid publishing such comments once or twice and they will cease making such comments," he said.

On the media trial, the apex court judge said it puts pressure on judges. "It affects the psyche of the judge and media trial before the delivery of judgement should be considered contempt of court.

"Media should play a constructive role in the betterment of legal system and abstain from such actions," he said.

He also said that there should be a timeframe to deliver judgements and the Chief Justice should monitor and publish a list of those judges failing to meet the deadline.

The problems of our justice delivery system are very many but not insurmountable. Judiciaries of other countries are also facing similar problems but the difference is in implementing solutions to them, he said.

Each wing of governance must discharge its duties and fulfil its obligations towards the other and only then we can achieve the desired results in the dispensation of justice to the people of our country, he said.