In a startling development that has rattled the legal fraternity, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Suryakant revealed in open court on Wednesday that his family is being targeted over judicial decisions. In an unprecedented breach of protocol and ethics, a member of a family involved in a pending case allegedly called the CJI’s brother to demand an explanation for a recent court ruling.

The Incident in Court: While presiding over a bench on Wednesday afternoon, CJI Suryakant made this explosive disclosure. “It is extremely distressing to see that litigants are now reaching out to the family members of judges. My brother received a phone call where he was questioned about why a particular judgment was delivered,” the Chief Justice remarked. This direct interference with the personal lives of the judiciary has highlighted a dangerous trend of pressuring judges outside the courtroom.

Threat to the Rule of Law: Legal luminaries have termed this act as a “criminal attempt to intimidate the judiciary.” While every citizen has the right to challenge a verdict through legal channels like review petitions, harassing a judge’s kin is a non-bailable offense. The Supreme Court Bar Association has called for an immediate investigation and the arrest of the individuals involved. This incident raises serious concerns about the privacy and security of judges and their families in an increasingly polarized socio-political environment.