‘Full Blown Crisis’: Twitter on Unprecedented SC Judges’ Press Con

In a first of its kind press conference, senior SC judges appealed to the nation to preserve judicial independence.

Dissenting against the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra’s administration of the judiciary, four senior most judges from the Supreme Court held a press conference on Friday, 12 January.

Addressing the conference, Justice Chelameswar, opined that “judicial independence is key to the survival of democracy.”

Justices Ranjan Gogoi, Kurian Joseph, and Madan Lokur said they had submitted a letter to Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. Read the full text of the letter here.

“We collectively tried to persuade the CJI that certain things aren't in order so take remedial measures but unfortunately our efforts failed,” said Justice Chelameswar.

The ‘unprecedented’ press conference drew a host of reactions on Twitter:

No matter which side you are on ideologically this is open war in the Indian judiciary and status quo is unsustainable. Something has to give. This is a full blown constitutional crisis. Who will intervene? CJI, President, Parliament or...?

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) January 12, 2018

Taking on an establishment while being a part of it is moral courage. Resigning would imply lack of faith in the judiciary, this is about those who are failing the judiciary. https://t.co/O87sMWIQXu

— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) January 12, 2018

To call the Judges' Press Conference "unprecedented" is an euphemism at best. It is arguably the lowest moment in the history of Indian judiciary. IMHO, Justice Chelameswar and other dissenting judges should have tendered their resignation and then spoken to the "nation".

— GhoseSpot (@SandipGhose) January 12, 2018

What Justice Chelameswar is not new . Political party at center have been using SC in some cases since independence. Today what they said is just a proof of past wrongdoings in SC .

— Shovit Sinha (@imshovit) January 12, 2018

Today's development may have an implication on the Aadhar bench. Bench composition will come under scrutiny now.

— अंशुल (@Ghair_Kanooni) January 12, 2018

In allocating benches, the CJI wields enormous power, a power which when abused undermines all confidence in the rule of law. The letter from the 4 senior judges shows us a Supreme Court in crisis. The institution's credibility today stands shattered.

— Suhrith (@suhrith) January 12, 2018

So it appears official - the CJI has a better relationship with the Attorney General of India compared to his senior colleague justices. Or he already regards him as the 32nd justice of the Supreme Court. https://t.co/qIDqWiH2TP

— Raman Chima (@tame_wildcard) January 12, 2018

Justice Chelameswar, Justice Gogoi, Justice Kurien and one more revolts against Chief Justice Of India !
We always knew there is something very rotten inside Judiciary.
It's time Law Minister should act and make everything transparent about Judiciary. Judges are not Gods.

— Manu (@mthakur121) January 12, 2018

(This is a developing story and will be updated)