Judges Reluctant To Grant Bail For Fear Of Being Targeted: Chief Justice

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday said judges at the grassroots are reluctant to grant bail due to the fear of being targeted.

At a felicitation event organised by the Bar Council of India, CJI Chandrachud said, “The higher judiciary is flooded with bail applications due to reluctance at grassroots to grant bail. Judges at the grassroots are reluctant to grant bail not because they do not understand crime, but there is a sense of fear of being targeted for granting bail in heinous cases.”

Union Law minister Kiren Rijiju was also present at the occasion. He raised concerns over several lawyers meeting the CJI regarding transfers.

“I heard some lawyers want to meet the CJI regarding the transfer case. It can be an individual issue but if it becomes a recurring instance for every decision by the collegium, which is supported by the government, then where will it lead to? The whole dimension will change,” Mr Rijiju said.

CJI Chandrachud on November 9 became the 50th Chief Justice of India. He will have a tenure till November 10, 2024. He succeeded Chief Justice UU Lalit, who retired on November 9.