In a counter to a recent statement issued by a group of 18 retired judges critical of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as many as 56 former judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts—including former Chief Justices of India P. Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi have released a strongly-worded rejoinder, denouncing the remarks of the 18 ex-judges as “politically motivated” and harmful to the neutrality of the judiciary.
The development comes after Justice (retd.) Kurien Joseph, Justice (retd.) Madan B Lokur, Justice (retd.) J Chelameswar, and 15 others expressed “disapproval” of Amit Shah’s comments on opposition vice-presidential candidate Justice (retd.) B. Sudershan Reddy, particularly in relation to the Salwa Judum judgment. That statement accused Shah of “prejudicial misinterpretation” and “name-calling,” warning that such remarks could have a chilling effect on sitting judges. The Congress, quick to capitalise, cited the statement to target the Home Minister and claim that “courageous voices” were standing up to him.
However, the robust counter-statement by 56 retired judges, carrying the weight of two former CJIs, has now turned the spotlight back on what they call an orchestrated attempt to weaponise judicial credentials for political convenience.
Excellent response in their own language 👏👏
After a group of retired judges criticised HM Amit Shah & GoI, 56 ex-judges, including ex-CJIs P. Sathasivam & Ranjan Gogoi, issue a solid counter-statement & call such remarks “politically motivated” & harmful to judicial… pic.twitter.com/Nxytjkq8Ds
— Sameer (@BesuraTaansane) August 26, 2025
The signatories minced no words, asserting that a pattern had emerged where the same set of individuals repeatedly issue partisan statements every time a political controversy arises. According to them, such interventions are neither about judicial independence nor about safeguarding the judiciary, but instead reflect a “thinly veiled political partisanship” that erodes public trust in the institution.
“It has become a predictable pattern, wherein every major political development is met with statements from the same quarters. These statements are determined to cloak their political partisanship under the language of judicial independence,” the statement read. The former judges stressed that projecting retired judges as political actors damages the very dignity and neutrality of the judiciary.
In an unmistakable reference to Justice (retd.) Sudershan Reddy, who is contesting for the Vice-President’s post with opposition support, the counter-statement noted that once a judge chooses to step into active politics, they must defend themselves in that realm rather than seek the shield of judicial sanctity.
“A fellow retired judge has chosen, of his own volition, to contest the election… Having made that choice, he must defend his candidacy like any other contestant in the realm of political debate. To suggest otherwise is to stifle democratic discourse and to misuse the cover of judicial independence for political convenience,” it declared.
The statement further emphasised that judicial independence is not endangered by criticism of a political candidate, but rather by former judges repeatedly issuing partisan remarks that give an impression of the judiciary itself being aligned to political battles.
The 56 signatories also warned that such behaviour risks tarnishing the credibility of the entire judicial fraternity. “As a result of these tactics, because of the fault of a few, the larger body of judges ends up being painted as a partisan coterie. This is neither fair nor healthy for India’s judiciary or democracy,” the statement said.
They urged fellow retired judges to desist from lending their names to politically motivated statements and to preserve the dignity of the judiciary.
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