Senior Advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has hit back at Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar over his recent criticism of those raising concerns about the state of the judiciary and criminal justice system in India. Sibal defended a resolution passed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), which condemned the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata as a reflection of a “symptomatic malaise.”
Responding to Dhankhar’s remarks — in which the Vice President expressed being “appalled” at how such incidents were described — Sibal clarified that the court’s statements were “guided by national interest.” He emphasized that the resolution was not intended to generalize but to underscore a growing concern over gender-based violence.
Citing crime statistics from the Times of India, Sibal noted that West Bengal was not among the top states for rape and murder between 2017 and 2022, subtly questioning the political undertones of the Vice President’s critique.
Sibal also took issue with Dhankhar’s earlier rebuke of Congress leader P. Chidambaram, who had criticized the new criminal laws, suggesting they were drafted by “part-timers.” Dhankhar had deemed the comment “inexcusable.” In response, Sibal argued that it was not the opposition, but rather the ruling side, that regularly undermines parliamentary decorum.
Reiterating his concerns over judicial independence, Sibal accused the government of trying to “capture” the judiciary, calling it “the last citadel of freedom.” He warned against what he sees as an ongoing attempt to weaken constitutional checks and balances.
The exchange underscores a growing tension between senior legal minds and top constitutional authorities over the independence of institutions in the country.
