Protection of Fundamental Rights is sacrosanct: CJI

New Delhi, Nov 25: Stressing that protection of Fundamental Rights of a citizen was 'sacrosanct ' as laid down under the Constitution, Chief justice of India Justice Dipak Mishra on Saturday said that what was termed as 'judicial activism ' was only an attempt to protect the Fundamental Rights.

Speaking at the inauguration of National Law Day by President Ram Nath Kovind where Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Minister of State for Law and Justice PP Chaudhary and CEO, NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant were also present, Justice Mishra said, 'the protection of Fundamental Rights is sacrosanct as laid down by the Constitution.What is termed as judicial activism is only an attempt to protect Fundamental Rights of a citizen.' Noting that the duties of the judiciary had been clearly laid down in the Constitution, Jjustice Mishra said there was no attempt to enter the jurisdiction of the executive. 'The duties of the judiciary are governed by the Constitution. What is seen as judicial activism are only attempts to protect Fundamental Rights," he said. "Under the Constitution, the Fundamental Rights have been expanded. The expansion of the Fundamental Rights is a matter of interpretation. What one thinks is not relevant today may be relevant tomorrow, 'Justice Mishra said.
UNI