“No Institution Is Perfect”: Justice Bindal calls for in-house fixes in judiciary

Emphasising the importance of safeguarding the judiciary’s credibility, retiring Supreme Court judge Justice Rajesh Bindal on Wednesday said that concerns within the judicial system should be resolved internally rather than being publicly debated, noting that courts serve as the “ last resort ” for citizens.

Delivering his farewell address at a function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, Justice Bindal underlined that public trust and confidence in the judiciary are paramount . “No institution is perfect. If there are errors or problems, they should be resolved in-house and not discussed outside ,” he said, cautioning that public remarks by those within the system carry greater weight and could impact institutional credibility .

His remarks come amid periodic public debates over judicial functioning, transparency, and accountability , where statements by members of the legal fraternity often draw widespread attention. In this context, Justice Bindal stressed that internal mechanisms exist to address grievances , noting that the Chief Justice and other judicial authorities remain accessible for resolving concerns.

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant lauded Justice Bindal as a “distinguished jurist” whose contributions went beyond judgments to strengthening institutional processes . Recalling their association from their days at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the CJI described him as “unparalleled” in case disposal and part of a rare class of judges who leave behind both impactful rulings and improved systems.

Attorney General R. Venkataramani highlighted Justice Bindal’s discipline, institutional commitment, and forward-looking approach , including his embrace of technology in court administration. He noted that the judge delivered over 100 judgments , many reflecting sensitivity to gender justice, procedural fairness, and litigant dignity .

Echoing similar sentiments, senior advocate and Bar Association president Vikas Singh described Justice Bindal’s rise from a first-generation lawyer as inspirational, adding that he exemplified judicial impartiality . Appointed to the Supreme Court in February 2023, Justice Bindal was part of several key rulings, including a Constitution bench judgment on the scope of “material resources of the community.” With his retirement, vacancies in the apex court rose to two against a sanctioned strength of 34 judges .