Courts must intervene whenever rights are violated: CJI
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant emphasized that courts and human rights commissions must actively protect the rights of the marginalized and voiceless. He noted that the NHRC has been instrumental in bridging the gap between constitutional promises and the reality faced by vulnerable citizens.
Why it matters
This reinforces the role of judicial and quasi-judicial institutions in upholding democratic values and protecting fundamental rights in a developing nation.
Courts have a duty to intervene whenever rights guaranteed by the Constitution are violated, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said on Monday (October 12, 2026), stressing that promises of dignity, equality, liberty, and justice must translate into meaningful protection for citizens.
Addressing the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) 33rd Foundation Day, the CJI said the institution should be assessed not just by the number of cases it deals with, but in its ability to help the voiceless.
Citing the Commission’s record, he noted that the NHRC had registered more than 24 lakh cases and disposed of over 23 lakh in the 33 years since its establishment, with a disposal rate exceeding 98%.
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