Constitution above all three democracy wings, says CJI Gavai
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New Delhi: Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai on Wednesday said the Constitution of India is supreme, and all three wings of our democracy - the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary- are under the Constitution of India.The CJI said this on Wednesday at a private event in his hometown of Amravati in eastern Maharashtra.It might be mentioned here that Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar last month had remarked that the judiciary should not encroach on the role of other institutions.In April, the Vice President had said that the Parliament is supreme and MPs are the ultimate masters of the Constitution. Dhankhar had further said that "there cannot be any authority above them".The VP had further raised questions over the remit of the Supreme Court within the framework of the government as defined in the Constitution.Speaking at a Delhi University event in April, the Vice President had also said that "every word spoken by a constitutional functionary is guided by supreme national interest".CJI Gavai, on Wednesday, said that "there is always a discussion as to which wing of democracy - executive, legislature or judiciary - is supreme. Many say and believe Parliament is supreme but for me it is the Constitution".He added "neither the Parliament, nor the Executive nor the judiciary are supreme. It is only the Constitution of India which is supreme. All the wings are under the Constitution (of India)".Referring to a judgment passed by the top court on the foundation of the 'Basic Structure' doctrine, CJI Gavai said Parliament has the power to amend, but it cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution.A judge does not become independent just by passing orders against the government, the CJI added."A judge should always remember that we have a duty, and we are custodians of the rights of citizens and constitutional values and principles. We don't just have power, but a duty is cast upon us," CJI Gavai said on Wednesday.A judge should not be guided by what people will say or feel about their judgment, he said."We have to think independently. What people will say cannot become a part of our decision-making process," CJI Gavai added. The top judge also asserted that he always let his judgments and work speak, and always stood by the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.Also referring to his judgment against " bulldozer justice ", he said the right to shelter is supreme.
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