Section Article

JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE AND FAIRNESS IN INDIAN DEMOCRACY
Author(s): Vishram Singh

Abstract
Judicial independence constitutes one of the essential foundations of Indian democracy ensuring that constitutional governance remains anchored in the rule of law accountability fairness and protection of individual rights. The judiciary’s ability to remain free from political influence institutional pressures and external interference defines the strength and credibility of democratic institutions in India. Since independence the evolution of judicial authority has reflected a complex intersection of constitutional design interpretative innovation institutional resilience and democratic aspirations. As India entered the 21st century and experienced rapid political economic and social transformations—especially around 2020—the judiciary faced increasing responsibilities to safeguard civil liberties resolve institutional conflicts regulate executive power and uphold democratic norms under challenging circumstances. Judicial fairness which encompasses impartial adjudication procedural transparency accessibility and equality before the law forms another critical dimension of democratic legitimacy. This research paper analyzes the conceptual foundations historical evolution structural mechanisms contemporary challenges and transformative role of judicial independence and fairness in Indian democracy. Drawing on pre-2018 scholarship and contextualizing developments around 2020 the paper explores how Indian courts navigate executive–judiciary relations constitutional interpretation judicial activism public trust institutional accountability and the tension between governance efficiency and constitutional duty. It examines the judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights maintaining federal balance promoting social justice and ensuring that democratic processes remain constitutionally compliant. Through comprehensive analysis the study highlights the opportunities for strengthening judicial credibility and the challenges arising from political polarization institutional conflict backlog of cases resource constraints and systemic inequalities.