Interpretation of Constitution has to be pragmatic: CJI
Mumbai (PTI): Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has said the interpretation of law or the Constitution has to be "pragmatic" and in a way that suits the needs of society.
Speaking at a felicitation organised for him by the Bombay High Court here on Saturday, he also said he recently received complaints about the rude behaviour of "some of the colleagues", and urged judges to protect the institution's reputation.
Citing a past Supreme Court judgement, CJI Gavai said any law or the Constitution has to be interpreted in the context of "problems faced by the present generation."
"The interpretation has to be pragmatic. It has to be one that suits the needs of society," he added.
Judges are expected to work as per their conscience, the oath of office and law, but "should never be perturbed once the matter is decided," he said.
A judge should cut off his mind from the matter and forget what happens to it thereafter, he said.
Talking about the appointment of judges, the CJI asserted that "at no cost the independence of judiciary shall be compromised".
While making appointments either to the Supreme Court or high courts, the collegium ensures merit is maintained while there is diversity and inclusiveness, he said.
CJI Gavai complimented the Bombay High Court -- where he once practised as a lawyer and served as a judge -- for its work, and said he feels proud when people appreciate its judgements.
He also said that lately he has been "receiving a lot of complaints about the rude behaviour of some of the colleagues."
"Being a judge is not a 10 to 5 job, it's an opportunity to serve the society. It is an opportunity to serve the nation," he stressed, and urged the judges to be "true to their oath and commitment."
"Please do not do anything which brings disrepute to this august institution, whose reputation has been so laboriously built by the devotion and dedication of generations of lawyers and generations of judges," he said.
Speaking at another felicitation ceremony later on Saturday evening, the CJI said the Constitution works for every last citizen of the country, be it a judge, lawyer, an executive or a parliamentarian.
"Let us dedicate our lives to the eradication of all differences, let us give it ourselves to upholding constitutional values, let us give it ourselves towards the fulfilment of our constitutional promises," he added.
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Three terrorists involved in Pahalgam attack eliminated, Amit Shah announces in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): Three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack have been eliminated by security forces in a joint operation by the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police near Srinagar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Participating in the special discussion on Operation Sindoor, Shah said the terrorists were killed under Operation Mahadev on Monday. They have been identified as Suleman alias Faizal, Afghani and Jibran.
"While Suleman was an A-category commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Afghani was also an A-category Lashkar-e-Taiba terroris, Jibran too was a notorious and wanted terrorist. All these three terrorists involved in the killing of our citizens at Baisaran valley in Pahalgam have now been eliminated," he said.
To be sure about the identity of the terrorists, those detained by security forces for helping the terrorists were brought in and confirmed that the three were involved in the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Shah told the House.
"People who used to supply food, provide shelter to the terrorists were detained earlier. Once the bodies of these terrorists were brought to Srinagar, they were identified by those who were detained by our agencies," he said.
The arms -- M-9 and AK-47 rifles -- recovered from the terrorists were flown to Chandigarh on Monday night in a special flight for examination at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory.
The empty cartridges found at Pahalgam and those after test firing by the recovered guns were matched by the forensic lab, Shah said. The ballistic report is with him, he added.
"Six forensic experts have confirmed to me on a video call this morning that these are the same bullets used in the Pahalgam attack," he said.
The home minister said security forces had recovered Pakistani voter IDs of two of the killed terrorists as well as chocolates made in Pakistan and the weapons.
After the Pahalgam attack, security forces were instructed not to allow terrorists responsible for the dastardly act to leave the country
Describing the Pahalgam attack as barbaric, Shah said innocent civilians were brutally killed in front of their families after being asked about their religion and were murdered with extreme cruelty.
Expressing heartfelt condolences for those who had lost their lives in Pahalgam and during Pakistani shelling on civilians, the home minister said due to Pakistani firing civilians were martyred and some gurdwaras and temples damaged.
