New Delhi [India], April 17: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday underscored the critical role of the rule of law in a democratic society, asserting that the integrity of the criminal justice system ultimately defines a nation’s path.
Speaking to the sixth batch of Rajya Sabha interns at the Vice President’s Enclave, Dhankhar emphasized that every cognizable offence must be reported through a First Information Report (FIR), as mandated by law.
“In a democratic nation, the purity of its criminal justice system defines its direction. The law clearly states that all cognizable offences must be reported to the police. Failure to do so is a crime,” he said.
Referring to the recent controversy involving the discovery of large amounts of cash at the residence of a Delhi High Court judge, Dhankhar questioned the delay in registering an FIR.
“An FIR can be registered against anyone, including constitutional functionaries like myself. The rule of law must be activated. However, in the case of a judge, registration of an FIR requires approval from the concerned judiciary—something not outlined in the Constitution,” he pointed out.
The Vice President further highlighted concerns regarding what he described as an unwarranted sense of immunity enjoyed by members of the judiciary.
“The Constitution grants immunity from prosecution only to the Honourable President and Governors. Then how has another category, namely judges, managed to secure such protection? This anomaly is troubling citizens across the country,” Dhankhar noted.
He also criticized the use of judicial independence as a shield against corruption probes. Citing a case from January 27, 2025, he mentioned a ruling by a seven-member Lokpal bench, led by a former Supreme Court judge, which claimed jurisdiction over corruption complaints against High Court judges.
“The investigation was stayed on the grounds of maintaining judicial independence. But independence does not mean immunity from enquiry. No institution can thrive without transparency and accountability,” he said.
Dhankhar concluded by warning that shielding individuals or institutions from scrutiny only leads to deterioration and public distrust.