44 Former Judges Defend CJI In Rohingya Remarks Row
A group of 44 retired judges have issued a public statement supporting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant after criticism over his comments during a recent hearing on Rohingya migrants. The judges termed the backlash as a “motivated campaign” and said the remarks were being misrepresented.
Judges Call Comments Misunderstood
The statement explained that the CJI had only raised a basic legal question about the status being claimed in court, and had not made any ruling against any group. The judges added that critics ignored the fact that the bench had also clearly stated that no person in India, whether citizen or foreigner, can be subjected to torture or inhuman treatment.
They said the debate had overlooked the legal reality that India has no statutory refugee framework and is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention. According to them, legal questions about identity documents and entry status cannot be treated as prejudice.
Warning Against Attacks On Judiciary
The former judges warned that attempts to portray judicial proceedings as biased or dehumanising could damage public trust. They said independence of the judiciary must be protected, and that criticism should be fair and based on facts.
The group also called for an investigation into how foreign nationals may have obtained government documents such as Aadhaar or ration cards, and suggested that such inquiries should be monitored by the court.
