In a first, four judges appeal to nation to save Supreme Court

In a first in independent India's history and a first for the Supreme Court of India, four judges addressing the media on Friday, appealed to the nation to save their institution if they wanted democracy in the country to survive.

Justices Madan B. Lokur, Kurien Joseph, Ranjan Gogoi and Jasti Chelameswar addressed the press conference on the lawns of Justice Chelameswar's official residence here.

Speaking on behalf of the four judges, Justice Chelameswar expressed his lament over the corrosion and compromise taking place within the institution of the judiciary and especially within the portals of the Supreme Court.

He said, "We owe a responsibility to the institution and the nation. Our efforts have failed in convincing the CJI (Chief Justice of India) to take steps to protect the institution."

"Even this morning, the four of us went and met the Chief Justice of India and tried to persuade him to accept that certain things are not in order and that he should take remedial measures. Unfortunately, we couldn't convince him. We all (four judges) are convinced that unless this institution is preserved and (is allowed to) maintain its equanimity, democracy will not survive in this country or any country," Justice Chelameswar added.

"The hallmark of a good democracy is an independent and impartial judge. The judge is symbolic here, it is an institution," he said.