Modi asks judiciary to avoid 'perception-driven' verdicts

PM says while judiciary is getting powerful, it is necessary that it also becomes 'perfect'

Advising judiciary to avoid "perception-driven" verdicts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it should have an internal mechanism of "self-assessment" as judges are considered "divine" and seldom face any criticism unlike the political class.

Addressing a conference of top judges from across the country here, he said while the judiciary is getting powerful, it is necessary that it also becomes "perfect" to live up to the expectations of the people.

"It is easy to deliver judgements based on the law and the Constitution. There is a need to be cautious against perception-driven verdicts," he said, adding that "perceptions are often driven by five star activists".

Noting that the judiciary is considered "divine" and next only to the God, he advised it to have an internal mechanism for self-assessment, which he said, is a "difficult" task.

"We (the political class) are lucky that people watch us, assess us and rip us apart. You (Judiciary) are not as lucky.

"If you order a person to death, he also comes out and says that he believes in the judiciary...When there is little scope for criticism, the need of the hour is to develop an internal mechanism for self-assessment where the government and the politicians have no role," the Prime Minister said addressing the joint conference of Chief Justices of the 24 High Courts and Chief Ministers.

He said if such a mechanism is not evolved and the faith in the judiciary is affected even a little bit, it will hurt the nation.

"If the politicians or the government make a mistake, there is a scope to repair the damage by the judiciary. But if you commit a mistake, then everthing will end," he said.