Justice Oka Calls for Introspection as Public Faith in Judiciary Erodes

SAKSHI PARDHE

27 MARCH 2025

​Supreme Court Justice Abhay S. Oka has expressed concern that public faith in the judiciary has significantly eroded, primarily due to the system’s failure to provide quality access to justice at a reasonable cost. Speaking at the Second Shyamala Pappu Memorial Lecture, Justice Oka emphasized that the judiciary has not met the expectations of common citizens and called for introspection to identify shortcomings.

He highlighted the neglect of trial and district courts, noting that these are the venues where most citizens seek justice. Justice Oka pointed out that despite recommendations for increasing the judge-to-population ratio, the current figure remains low, hindering the delivery of timely justice.

Furthermore, Justice Oka advocated for constructive criticism of court rulings, urging that critiques be well-studied and responsible. He also called for restraint in sharing scandalous material about the judiciary on social media, emphasizing the need for a fiercely independent bar to maintain judicial independence. ​

These remarks underscore the necessity for the judiciary to engage in self-assessment and implement reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in the legal system.​

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