Judiciary must follow the principle of restraint: Mukherjee

09 September, 2012

While delivering the valedictory address of the 150th year celebrations of the Madras High Court (MHC) in Chennai, President Pranab Mukherjee sounded a note of caution against judicial activism and advised that the respect for the boundaries that separate the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary needed to be preserved.

JUDICIAL HISTORY informs that the High Court of Judicature at Madras was established under Charter issued by Her Majesty Queen Victoria, by virtue of powers conferred under the High Courts Act, 1861.

At the well attended Sesquicentennial Celebrations function of NHC Mukherjee said, "Judicial pronouncements must respect the boundaries that separate the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.”

According to Mukherjee, the principle of separation of powers among Legislature, Executive and Judiciary is equally a principle of restraint despite the powers of the Legislature and the Executive being subject to judicial review.

While dwelling on process of selection and appointment of judges, Mukherjee said that the quality of judges was a matter of great concern and their selection process should conform to the highest standards and based on well established principles. Moreover, improving the quality of legal education is the need of the hour, he felt.

Praising the MHC, Mukherjee said that its luminary judges and illustrious lawyers have contributed both to the nation building and advancement of social justice. The MHC held series of events to celebrate its 150 years by including functions and workshops by leading practitioners in the field of law.