Independence of judiciary among foundations of democracy: Outgoing SC judge

Outgoing judge of the Supreme Court Justice R K Agrawal today said the independence of judiciary was one of the foundations of democracy and the freedom of the Bar presupposes an independent judiciary.

Justice Agrawal, who retired today after a four-year stint at the Supreme Court, said that the Bar and the Bench were indispensable to a free society.

"The independence of judiciary is one of the foundations of democracy and lawyers have worked hard to maintain the pillars of democracy. The freedom of Bar presupposes an independent judiciary through which their freedom may, if necessary, be vindicated," Justice Agrawal said.

He was delivering his farewell speech at a function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).

Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, who was the chief guest at the event, said it was the duty of the judges to show respect to the lawyers despite their age or status.

"The Supreme Court is one. The bar nurtures us and on every occasion, I have told the young members of the bar to be the guiding angels. It's not the age, it is the entry into the Bar that makes you an angel. Whatever be your stature or status, you deserve respect and it is the duty of the judges to show respect to the members of the bar despite their age or status," he said.

On Justice Agrawal, the CJI said he was "getting liberated from one assignment...If you feel envy, you are boycotting him. If you are jealous, you give him another five years to work. When, where and how, I can't say."