IBA cites rare combination of legal acumen, judicial courtesy, constitutional vision, and commitment to institutional reform; requests consideration by CJI Surya Kant
The Indian Bar Association has strongly advocated that judges of the calibre of Justice M.S. Sonak, who has recently been elevated as Chief Justice, deserve elevation to the Supreme Court of India. The Association stated that both the nation and the institution of the judiciary would be immensely benefited by jurists who combine legal firmness with humility, constitutional courage, and a reform-oriented vision.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Association observed that Justice Sonak’s overall judicial presence, courteous courtroom demeanour, and polite yet legally uncompromising approach reflect the finest traditions of the Indian judiciary.
According to the IBA, his conduct on the Bench demonstrates not only a deep command over the law, but also a justice-oriented, rights-conscious, and institution-sensitive temperament, qualities essential for constitutional adjudication at the highest level.
The Association particularly highlighted Justice Sonak’s recent remarks urging members of the Bar to fearlessly and responsibly criticise judicial errors or wrongdoing in the larger interest of the institution, emphasising that such criticism is a constitutional duty and not an act of disloyalty. The IBA noted that this approach reflects a mature and progressive understanding of judicial accountability, where principled criticism strengthens the institution rather than undermining it.
Commenting on the issue, the National President of the Indian Bar Association, Adv. Nilesh Ojha, stated that while differences or disagreements may arise in individual cases—including his own—and certain judicial actions may legitimately invite criticism, such matters must be assessed in the larger institutional context. He emphasised that, viewed holistically, the judicial qualities, constitutional outlook, and commitment to institutional reform demonstrated by Justice M.S. Sonak render him deserving of serious consideration for elevation to the Supreme Court in the broader interest of justice.
Further elaborating the Association’s position, the Working President of the IBA, Adv. Ishwarlal Agarwal, stated that the Association has already addressed a formal communication to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble CJI Surya Kant, requesting that the names of judges possessing qualities exemplified by Justice Sonak be considered for elevation to the Supreme Court in the forthcoming list, in the larger interest of the judiciary and the justice delivery system.
Adv. Agarwal noted that judges who encourage responsible criticism, respect the independence of the Bar, and simultaneously uphold judicial discipline contribute significantly to institutional credibility, transparency, and public confidence. He added that Justice Sonak’s articulation—that silence of the Bar in the face of error amounts to a betrayal of constitutional responsibility—reflects rare moral clarity and institutional vision.
The Indian Bar Association further observed that the nation would be far better served if judges with Justice Sonak’s balance of courtesy, firmness, constitutional vision, and commitment to institutional reform are elevated to the Supreme Court. Such judges, the Association said, are capable not only of deciding disputes, but also of shaping jurisprudence that strengthens democracy, protects life and liberty, and improves the justice delivery system for generations to come.
