Shakir Radhanpurwala, Nishtha Trivedi, & Jappan Pandya, Gujarat University
ABSTRACT
The Indian judiciary plays a vital role in upholding the principles of justice, safeguarding individual rights, and maintaining the rule of law. However, the judiciary is not immune to external factors that can influence its functioning and independence. This abstract explores the external factors that impact the Indian judiciary and examines their implications. The Indian judiciary faces several external influences, including political interference, public opinion, media scrutiny, and social and economic factors. Political interference often manifests through appointments of judges, transfer of cases, and delays in judicial appointments. These factors can potentially compromise the impartiality and integrity of the judiciary, eroding public trust in the judicial system. Public opinion and media scrutiny also exert considerable influence on the judiciary. High-profile cases and sensitive issues can attract significant public attention, leading to intense scrutiny and pressure on judges to deliver outcomes aligned with public sentiment. This may impede the judiciary's ability to render unbiased judgments based on legal principles alone. Social and economic factors further impact the Indian judiciary. Socio-economic disparities, including poverty and lack of access to justice, affect the effective functioning of the judiciary. Limited resources, infrastructure, and backlog of cases create delays, denying justice to many citizens. These factors also contribute to the unequal distribution of justice, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Understanding and addressing these external factors are crucial for preserving the independence and integrity of the Indian judiciary. Measures such as ensuring transparent and merit-based judicial appointments, insulating judges from political influence, and providing adequate resources to the judiciary can help mitigate external pressures. Additionally, enhancing access to justice and addressing socio-economic disparities can improve the efficacy of the judicial system. The Indian judiciary faces various external factors that impact its functioning and independence. Acknowledging and addressing these factors is essential to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary, uphold the principles of justice, and ensure equal access to justice for all citizens.
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