Sense of independence of courts saved democracy during Emergency: CJI

The "fearless sense of independence of courts" saved democracy during the Emergency in 1975, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said here on Saturday.

CJI Chandrachud, who assumed the office of the Chief Justice of India in November, was felicitated by the Bombay High Court here.

At the ceremony, he spoke at length about several judges of the past and his experience while working with them.

"It was judges like Rane who kept the torch of liberty burning which had become dim in those years of Emergency in 1975. It was the fearless sense of independence of our courts which saved Indian democracy in 1975, the CJI said.

He said the Indian democracy stands firm because of the "fierce tradition of our own courts, of the judges of the bar who have come together and hoisted the flag, and the torch of freedom for which our court stands and has always stood.

Speaking about the Bombay High Court, the CJI said its strength lies in its ability to write, formulate and lay down the law for th