Supreme Court Says Criticism of Judiciary Is Acceptable if Done Respectfully and Responsibly

Don’t Mind Criticism Of Judiciary, But Should Be In Proper Way’: Top Court

The Supreme Court of India has said that it does not object to criticism of the judiciary, but the criticism must be *fair, **responsible, and expressed in a *proper manner. The bench made this observation while hearing a case involving remarks made against courts and judges.

The court said that in a democracy, everyone has the right to express their opinion, but that right should not be used to spread disrespect or attack the institution unfairly.

Supreme Court Emphasises Responsible Speech

During the hearing, the bench stated that the judiciary is open to feedback and constructive criticism.
However, the judges pointed out that criticism should not cross the line by:

• Spreading misinformation
• Damaging public trust in the system
• Attacking judges personally
• Making baseless allegations

The court added that judicial officers cannot respond publicly, so people must be careful while making accusations without evidence.

Context Behind The Court’s Statement

The remarks came during a case where certain individuals had made strong and controversial comments against the judiciary.
The Supreme Court said that citizens are free to disagree with court decisions, but the disagreement should be expressed maturely.

The judges also highlighted that social media has increased the spread of harsh and unverified claims, which can harm the justice system.

Courts Open to Debate, But Not Personal Attacks

The bench stressed that debate, criticism, and discussions about judgments are part of a healthy democracy.
Judges often welcome analysis of their decisions, but they object when the criticism becomes:

• Abusive
• Offensive
• Intended to insult
• Designed to undermine the institution

According to the court, freedom of speech should be paired with responsibility.

Why Proper Criticism Matters

The Supreme Court noted that the judiciary is one of the strongest pillars of democracy.
If people lose trust in courts due to false or irresponsible statements, justice delivery can be affected.

The court also reminded that judges work within the limitations of law and do not have a platform to defend themselves publicly, which is why citizens must be mindful of their words.

A Message to the Public

The Supreme Court clarified that it does not want to restrict people’s voices.
Instead, it wants people to engage in healthy dialogue rather than spreading negativity or hatred.

The court said that respectful criticism helps institutions grow, while careless criticism harms them.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s message is clear: criticism is welcome, but it must be done the right way.
As India continues to have lively discussions on legal matters, the court hopes that citizens will maintain respect for the institution while expressing their views.