India Supreme Court Justice emphasizes importance of independent constitutional institutions – JURIST
Supreme Court Justice P.S. Narasimha on Sunday emphasized the importance of safeguarding India’s constitutional institutions from political and external interference during the second Justice E.S. Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru.
Delivering a lecture titled Reimagining Constitutional Institutions: Integrity, Efficiency, and Accountability, Justice Narasimha highlighted the critical “role of Fourth Branch Institutions like the Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Public Service Commissions, and National Commissions” in upholding democratic values. He underscored the foresight of India’s constitution-makers in establishing independent bodies to ensure accountability, fairness, and the separation of powers.
“These institutions must not become retirement homes for civil servants and judges,” Justice Narasimha remarked, pointing to a lack of diversity, domain expertise, and capacity building as recurring challenges. He called for measures to insulate such institutions from political influence, enhance autonomy, and address infrastructural and enforcement failures. Reflecting on the Election Commission’s evolution, Justice Narasimha lauded its institutionalization as a body outside the executive, crediting the framers of the Constitution for ensuring free and fair elections. He cited Article 324, which allows the appointment of multiple Election Commissioners alongside the Chief Election Commissioner, as a testament to their vision.
Justice Narasimha also classified non-constitutional bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission and Central Information Commission under “integrity institutions,” vital for transparency and accountability. He praised the Right to Information (RTI) Act for empowering citizens and securing the independence of Information Commissions. “There is hardly any scholarship or reflection on public institutions,” he said, urging a collective effort to reinvigorate institutions that are “stuck in an analogue mode in a digital world.”
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Justice B.V. Nagarathna, who reflected on her father, Justice E.S. Venkataramiah’s legacy as the 19th Chief Justice of India and his contribution to press freedom through landmark judgments. Justice Narasimha concluded by calling for a sustained conversation on the functioning of constitutional institutions, urging citizens to hold power-wielding officials accountable while ensuring a smooth democratic process.
