Summary: Suo Moto proceedings initated against observation made by P&H HC judge Justice Rajbir Sehrawat – SC Observed ▶Compliance with the orders passed by the Supreme Court is not a matter of choice, but a matter of bounden constitutional obligation, bearing in mind the structure of the Indian legal system and the authority of the Supreme Court which heads the process of judicial adjudication of the country– ▶ In passing its orders, this Court discharges its plain duty. Parties may be aggrieved by an order. Judges are never aggrieved by an order which is passed by a higher constitutional or appellate forum-▶Whether individual judges are in agreement with the merits or otherwise of an order passed by a superior court is besides the point. Every Judge is bound by the discipline which the hierarchical nature of the judicial system imposes within the system.▶Observations (made by the judge) tend to bring the entire judicial machinery into disrepute. This affects not only the dignity of this Court, but of the High Courts as well.
Practice and Procedure – In an age where there is widespread reporting of every proceeding which takes place in the Court, particularly in the context of live streaming which is intended to provide access to justice to citizens, it is all the more necessary that Judges should exercise due restraint and responsibility in the observations which are made in the course of proceedings. (Para 9)