"No, no…then we are accused of interfering with legislative and executive functions"

"No, no…then we are accused of interfering with legislative and executive functions" - Justice Gavai

The Supreme Court on Monday humorously addressed growing accusations of judicial overreach during two separate case hearings. While considering a PIL against streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon over alleged obscene content, Justice BR Gavai remarked sarcastically, "No, no...then we are accused of interfering with legislative and executive functions." When the petitioner persisted, the judge quipped, "List it after two weeks - and dismiss it then," drawing laughter in the courtroom. The bench eventually agreed to hear the matter next week while directing the petitioner to serve copies to the Union government.

Earlier in the day, Justice Gavai made similar comments while hearing an urgent plea for paramilitary deployment in West Bengal following violence related to the Waqf Act amendment. "You want us to issue a mandamus to the President? As it is, we are facing allegations of encroaching into executive domain," Justice Gavai observed. Despite initial reluctance, the court later listed the matter for hearing on April 22.

These judicial remarks come amid increasing tensions between the judiciary and executive branches. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar recently criticized judges for having "no accountability," calling Article 142 of the Constitution a "nuclear missile against democratic forces." BJP MP Nishikant Dubey went further, blaming Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna for "all civil wars" in the country following Supreme Court rulings on gubernatorial powers.

The Supreme Court's lighthearted yet pointed comments reflect the judiciary's cautious approach as it navigates accusations of exceeding its constitutional mandate. With the government intensifying its scrutiny of judicial decisions, the delicate balance of power between India's democratic institutions remains a contentious issue. Both cases - the OTT regulation PIL and West Bengal deployment plea - will proceed to hearings in the coming days.

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