Thus spoke the CJI
The ‘just retired’ Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal had some wise words for the world as he relinquished office.
++Lawyers should rein in their emotions and bear in mind the right of accused to get legal aid.
++ In any legal case, even if it is of a heinous nature like the Nithari killings, lawyers cannot refuse to fight for the accused... they have to learn to control their emotions.
++ As a man of law, I cannot imagine any Bar passing a resolution by which members will not appear for the accused… put yourself in the accused's position.
++ Legal aid is needed more so, if the accused is being framed.
++ accused in cases like the Indira Gandhi assassination and the Jessica Lall murder “got the best of the lawyers.
++ If the lawyers of a local Bar refuse to represent the accused due to the heinousness of the crime, the only option left is to transfer the case to some other locality... this adds to the difficulty of the accused.
++Judges in this country will rise above media's opinion and decide the case after weighing the material evidence available.
++ This is required for judges specially when questions are being raised on "trial by media”
++It will be Doomsday if convictions are based on media opinions.
++Even last night at a party, one of my close relatives passed a sarcastic remark 'oh, you are a big man...' in the context of the sealing.
++ I asked my relatives whether he expected me to make another law for him... there should not be different yardsticks for different people.
++ commercial establishments eating up residential localities was the result of a long nexus between land mafia and officials.
++ the sealing order was a decisive step from the judiciary to curb corruption.
++ Though better planning of the Capital was one of the primary concerns for the drive, sealing was also meant to deliver a blow to the land mafia who control most of the property in Delhi.
++ it was within the powers of the Legislature to enact laws and the courts to strike it down in case of any "illegality".
++ The Legislature will do its work and the court will do its own.
++ I do no believe in humanitarian grounds; If there is a law it has to be implemented.