Accept invites with caution, CJI tells Judges

Chandigarh, September 5
Taking cognisance of Judges sharing the stage with litigants during inaugural and other functions, Chief Justice of India SH Kapadia has asked the Judges of the high courts across the country to accept invites for delivering lectures or inaugurating functions with caution.
In a letter to the Chief Justices, the CJI asserted: “Time has come for introspection that Judges need to be more cautious and circumspect while accepting such invitations. You may discuss the matter with the Judges of the high court and advise them to exercise due care and caution before accepting such invitations.”
It would be advisable if beforehand discreet verification was done as to whether such an organisation or its members were embroiled in any litigation in any tier of the judicial system, he said. “In case they are litigating parties, it is advisable to refrain from there.” Going into the reasons necessitating the issuance of advice, the CJI asserted that he would like to draw attention to the rising trend of Judges delivering lectures or inaugurating functions on invitations by different organisations.
“Instances have come to fore that some of such organisations or its members are litigants in the courts and have shared the dais with the Judges. Such organisations, or its members may not be having cases pending with a particular judge, but his participation sends unwarranted indelible impression to the litigants and the public at large, he held.
At times, the CJI maintained, members of the subordinate judiciary also attend the function and open interaction with such litigants...
“Various complaints in this regard are being received, which are followed up by the complainants who are desirous to know the outcome thereof. Acting on his letter, the Full Court of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 23 resolved that “due care and caution be exercised, while accepting invitations to deliver lectures or inaugurate functions; and discreet verification be done beforehand whether the organisation or its members have any litigation in any tier of the judicial system. In case they are litigating parties, it is advisable to refrain from accepting such invitations”.