This would not only be a gross violation of their rights but also intrusion of executive into independence of judiciary, he added. "Today, I am arguing before a panel of independent judges who are steeped in liberal values with a strong sense of constitutional freedom. But, 25 years later, the counsel appearing in my place will be disadvantaged unless we are successful in curbing the Aadhaar programme. We are here neither to defend the government action not are we here to toe the NGOs' line. "Hinting at the moral pressure exerted these days by counsel appearing for NGOs, Justice Chandrachud said, "We are not bound to decide cases as per personal feelings of petitioners or people.

Source: Economic Times February 02, 2018 23:03 UTC