Agartala, 4th April 2026: At the 12th Annual Judicial Conclave in Tripura, Supreme Court judge Justice S. Venkatanarayana Bhatti described the judiciary as the “steel frame of Indian democracy,” urging judicial officers to uphold integrity, clarity, and constitutional values.
Reflecting on his own journey from district courts to the Supreme Court, he emphasized that trial judges form the bedrock of justice delivery, shaping both the system and future generations of lawyers. He called for conclaves to serve not merely as ceremonial gatherings but as opportunities for introspection and awareness.
Justice Bhatti reminded officers that judicial service is a solemn duty, not an exercise of power, and warned against the “poisonous C’s”—confusion, caste or creed bias, corruption, complicity, complacency, and capitulation to pressure. He stressed that decisions must be guided by the Constitution and conscience, ensuring fairness and discipline.
Chief Justice M. S. Ramachandra Rao of the Tripura High Court also addressed the conclave, highlighting the importance of timely verdicts. He cautioned that delays erode public confidence and urged officers to dispose of cases within reasonable timeframes. He further advised that judgments must rest on evidence and law, not media narratives or external influence, and that lapses by counsel should not compromise justice.
The conclave was attended by Justices T. Amarnath Goud, S. F. Purkayastha, Biswajit Palit, Bar Council Chairman Ratan Datta, Senior Advocate B. N. Majumder, Advocate General Shaktimoy Chakraborty, and the Director of TJA.
