Supreme Court Justice N.V. Anjaria Calls for Judicial Decorum at Gujarat Judges’ Conference

Supreme Court Justice N.V. Anjaria, speaking at the Gujarat District Judges’ Conference, condemned undignified conduct by some judges and urged strict courtroom decorum. He linked judicial dignity to the broader goals of justice delivery, emphasizing the need for ethical conduct, proper language, and the integration of Niti (righteousness) with Nyay (justice).

Overview On 4 April 2026 , Supreme Court Justice N.V. Anjaria addressed the annual conference of District Judiciary in Gujarat. He expressed “pain” at video clips showing judges behaving undignifiedly and stressed that courtroom decorum is essential for credible justice delivery. Key Developments Justice Anjaria highlighted that a courtroom must remain a cultured space despite the often uncivil nature of disputes. He urged judges to be punctual, attentive, and accessible on the dais , avoiding any lapse in concentration. He warned against the circulation of doctored video clips that tarnish the image of the judiciary. The Justice linked judicial conduct to the philosophical concepts of Niti and Nyay , urging a blend of both in judgments. He emphasized the importance of precise language and purposive interpretation in judgments. Important Facts The conference, themed “ Re‑shaping Dispensation of Justice – Transcending the Narratives ”, was organized by the Gujarat State Judicial Academy (GSJA) in collaboration with the High Court. Justice Vikram Nath was the chief guest. Justice Anjaria quoted Amartya Sen, noting that “Nyay is not merely justice; it is ‘realised justice’,” underscoring the need for substantive outcomes rather than procedural formalities. UPSC Relevance Understanding judicial decorum is vital for GS2 (Polity) as it reflects the functioning and credibility of India’s legal system. The integration of purposive interpretation aligns with the principle of “substantive justice” and is frequently examined in ethics and law papers. Moreover, the philosophical linkage of Niti and Nyay offers a cross‑cutting perspective for GS4 (Ethics) questions on morality in public institutions. Way Forward Judicial training bodies like GSJA should incorporate modules on courtroom etiquette, language precision, and ethical philosophy. Regular monitoring and transparent reporting of judicial conduct can deter lapses and restore public confidence. Law schools and UPSC aspirants should study case law where purposive interpretation and ethical considerations shaped landmark judgments. Encourage judges to view law as a dharmic duty, echoing the maxim “Law is my Dharma, Dharma is my Law,” to reinforce the moral underpinnings of the judiciary.

<h2>Overview</h2> <p>On <strong>4 April 2026</strong>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court — India’s apex judicial body that interprets the Constitution and adjudicates on matters of national importance (GS2: Polity)">Supreme Court</span> Justice <span class="key-term" data-definition="N.V. Anjaria — A sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India, known for his contributions to jurisprudence (GS2: Polity)">N.V. Anjaria</span> addressed the annual conference of <span class="key-term" data-definition="District Judiciary — The network of courts at the district level handling civil and criminal matters, forming the backbone of India’s judicial system (GS2: Polity)">District Judiciary</span> in Gujarat. He expressed “pain” at video clips showing judges behaving undignifiedly and stressed that courtroom decorum is essential for credible justice delivery.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Justice Anjaria highlighted that a courtroom must remain a cultured space despite the often uncivil nature of disputes.</li> <li>He urged judges to be punctual, attentive, and accessible on the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Dais — The raised platform or bench where a judge presides, symbolising authority and responsibility (GS2: Polity, GS4: Ethics)">dais</span>, avoiding any lapse in concentration.</li> <li>He warned against the circulation of doctored video clips that tarnish the image of the judiciary.</li> <li>The Justice linked judicial conduct to the philosophical concepts of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Niti — Ethical principles of righteousness, fairness, equality and non‑discrimination, central to Indian moral thought (GS4: Ethics)">Niti</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Nyay — The concept of justice in Indian philosophy, denoting fairness and the rightful dispensation of law (GS4: Ethics)">Nyay</span>, urging a blend of both in judgments.</li> <li>He emphasized the importance of precise language and purposive interpretation in judgments.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The conference, themed “<strong>Re‑shaping Dispensation of Justice – Transcending the Narratives</strong>”, was organized by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Gujarat State Judicial Academy (GSJA) — An institution that provides training and capacity building for judges and judicial officers in Gujarat (GS2: Polity)">Gujarat State Judicial Academy (GSJA)</span> in collaboration with the High Court. <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath — A senior judge of the Supreme Court, serving as the chief guest for the event (GS2: Polity)">Justice Vikram Nath</span> was the chief guest.</p> <p>Justice Anjaria quoted Amartya Sen, noting that “Nyay is not merely justice; it is ‘realised justice’,” underscoring the need for substantive outcomes rather than procedural formalities.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding judicial decorum is vital for GS2 (Polity) as it reflects the functioning and credibility of India’s legal system. The integration of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Purposive interpretation — A method of statutory interpretation that seeks to understand the legislature’s intent and purpose, allowing judges to fill gaps for substantive justice (GS2: Polity)">purposive interpretation</span> aligns with the principle of “substantive justice” and is frequently examined in ethics and law papers. Moreover, the philosophical linkage of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Niti — Ethical principles of righteousness, fairness, equality and non‑discrimination, central to Indian moral thought (GS4: Ethics)">Niti</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Nyay — The concept of justice in Indian philosophy, denoting fairness and the rightful dispensation of law (GS4: Ethics)">Nyay</span> offers a cross‑cutting perspective for GS4 (Ethics) questions on morality in public institutions.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <ul> <li>Judicial training bodies like <span class="key-term" data-definition="Gujarat State Judicial Academy (GSJA) — An institution that provides training and capacity building for judges and judicial officers in Gujarat (GS2: Polity)">GSJA</span> should incorporate modules on courtroom etiquette, language precision, and ethical philosophy.</li> <li>Regular monitoring and transparent reporting of judicial conduct can deter lapses and restore public confidence.</li> <li>Law schools and UPSC aspirants should study case law where purposive interpretation and ethical considerations shaped landmark judgments.</li> <li>Encourage judges to view law as a <em>dharmic</em> duty, echoing the maxim “Law is my Dharma, Dharma is my Law,” to reinforce the moral underpinnings of the judiciary.</li> </ul>

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