Part 1 of a curated collection of the very best of Master of Verse Raju Z. Moray on Master of the Roster Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. .—.THE judge and the poet— they share a unique connection. The judge sets the limits of language and the poet tests those limits..Here is an exclusive compilation of select poems by Master of Verse Raju Z. Moray published in The Leaflet concerning Master of the Roster Justice D.Y. Chandrachud..These poems nestle a poetic history of the tenure of the 50th Chief Justice of India (CJI), from the high hopes of his initial days to the many diversions, deviations and disappointments..***.On November 9, 2022, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud was sworn in as the CJI. Suave, articulate and well-educated, there were expectations, not in the least because he was going to be the first CJI in a long time who would have a two-year tenure..Dapper New Chief.(November 09, 2022).As all the mounting arrearsBring our judicial system to griefWe have mounting expectationsFrom our dapper new Chief.Every available senior headWas ready to say nothing newYet every channel and portalManaged to grab some interview.After all photo-ops and hypeNo one seems to find it strangeLife of the law goes on as usualAnd nothing seems to change.What can the head of a body doIf the whole body is rotten?Without unity and continuityGood initiatives are forgotten.With the pedigree and the flairAnd felicity in airing his viewsHe is a darling of the mediaAnd perfect for headline news.So we have hope from this ChiefHow he fares only time will tellHe knows every trick of the tradeAll we can do is wish him well….***.The new CJI was immediately seized of the matter of judicial appointments. An Executive strongly motivated by an idealogy wanted to shape the judiciary a certain way, so it used administrative tactics to delay or deny those it did not like from being appointed as judges..Impasse.(November 14, 2022).So many pending namesWilling, recommended, ableAre kept in cold storageSurely that's unacceptable!.It just can't go on like thisOne saying no, the other yesAnd then one just sits tightWatching the resultant mess.Eminent lawyers might bringCertain gravitas to the benchSeveral do get recommendedA thirst for justice to quench.But powers don't co-operateAnd submit to collegium's willThe result of this impasse isAppointments are at standstill.Arrears never wait for anyoneThey just continue to mountWho said what, and to whomDoesn't matter, will not count.Law Minister is taking potshotsJudges too flex their musclesThere's so much sound and furyLet's see who wins, who buckles!.***.An interesting part of CJI's Chandrachud's tenure has been the puzzling behaviour of the registry. There were early signs too..An ordeal.(November 15, 2022).To get a matter listed on boardIs now an ordeal full of tensionFor there is a humongous queueOnly for circulation to mention!.After much pushing, shovingAnd getting your arm twistedIf you succeed in mentioningYour matter may not get listed!.Urgent production of case-papersThe registry's role has increasedFor your matter to move smoothlyEvery element has to be greased.Sure we all wish for successBut in listing itself we often failWith many circulations grantedMilords often their board curtail.If your case still doesn't reachYou have no right to ask "Why?"Just spend a bit more next timeGet your matter positioned high!.Frustrated and angry lawyersThink this system's derangedBefore they voice a grievanceThe assignment has changed!.Assume by sheer luck or chanceYour matter is listed without fussMilords may simply smile and say"It is wrongly listed before us!".***.Outside the courtroom, the CJI shone with his usual obeisance to lofty ideals..Fairy tales.(November 27, 2022).'Constitution Day' has come and goneAnd all our worthies had something to sayBut soon all the speeches will be forgottenAnd we shall trod along the same old way.Prime Minister emphasised "We, the People"He said that's a "call, a trust and an oath"But to really bring about a transformationTill now the system has seemed loath.Law Minister said they're doing everythingTo keep relationship with judiciary cordialDespite the "visionary leadership" he praisedAppointments of milords are an ordeal!.The CJI spoke eloquently when his turn cameSaid judges must open minds to multiple viewsQuestion their own prejudices, preconceptionsSo that the marginalised are given their dues.The AG felt Government must not overload SCWith cases and statutory appeals without pauseFor getting justice any court was good enoughWhy convert the SC into a Court of Small Cause?.The best speech was by the President of IndiaWho linked society's progress to number of jailsLet's close down some existing prisons she saidAn authentic expression amidst all the fairy tales!.***.One of the CJI's pet projects was bringing the judiciary up to speed with the latest technology..Don't burn out.(January 14, 2023).Among all recent Big ChiefsThis one has the widest reachEveryday we get to read or seeExcerpts of some nice speech.He wants to go fully digitalIs trying to cover all the basesBut no one had thought thatHe'd think of the mental cases.Doing long nights, overworkedFalling prey to financial worryLawyers just refuse to go slowWhy are they in such a hurry?.It is time to relax and meditateGo holistic and not take stressTechnology gives us a mediumTo sit at home and work less.Litigants used to seek justiceNow justice seeks them, he saysYet, entrenched feudal mindsetsContinue their discriminatory ways.Despite the struggles and tensionsDon't burnout, guard mental healthThe light at the end of this tunnelIs success…and that's your wealth!.I know you are quite impressedWe all love our Big Chief my dearsBut if everyone starts meditatingWill a robot dispose all the arrears?.***.CJI Chandrachud gave some hope (and others weird vibes) when he said there was no absolute definition of man and woman during the marriage equality petition hearings, but these words proved to be a smokescreen as the judgment ended up asserting that there was no fundamental right to marry for anyone..Law getting laid.(April 25, 2023).Is it such a mind-benderThat law has no gender?This being a sensitive issue,Milords are being tender..Tradition supports status quoNot imported juris et lexMilords are differing with PowersWhen it comes to matters of sex.'Don't focus just on genitalsTo decide male and femaleWe shall lay the law in retailIf you resist the change wholesale.'.Questions posed by Big ChiefAre answered through trollsMaybe between them and SGThere's some confusion of roles.We the people shall swallowWhat media to report is paidEven if it's not very palatableWe will see the law getting laid!.***.Another topic close to CJI Chandrachud's heart was the plight of young lawyers, from the enrollment fee they had to pay to the salaries they were getting..Justice on laptops.(May 13, 2023).Big Chief got lividAt Bar entrance feeMilords issued notice:"How can this be?".The Council said lookWe're a growing nationPlease take into accountChanged times, inflation."Nothing doing" said they"Thou shall not increase!So what if they're too little?These are statutory fees!".Every State fixes themAt any exorbitant rateNo one has consideredA struggling lawyer's fate.But we are here to helpEnsure that no one is sadWe will grant all a refundSo that they buy an iPad.Let us hail the Big ChiefFor social justice sopsOur lives will now be onlineAnd justice on laptops!.***.Almost to the end of his tenure, CJI Chandrachud was known to always be courteous in the courtrooms, treating every senior and junior lawyer with respect..Gone to the dogs.(September 13, 2023).The story is not newBut someone has to tellA stray dog on the streetBit a supreme counsel.His bandaged hand heldWhat looked like his briefThis was just enough toCatch attention of Big Chief.This was more importantThan facts of the matterThe injured hand helpedTo instigate much chatter.Do you need a doctor?It's the least we can doBut first you must tell usWho did this to you?.Milords it's a menaceA stray dog attacked meOf the many black coatsWonder why it tracked me?.The SG rose to proclaimSomething must be done!It's of national importanceTo stop the strays free run.Big Chief said once his clerkWas attacked,God knows why?But he still performed dutiesOnce bitten, twice shy.This led to a big debateAbout man's best friendSome spoke for it's freedomOthers wanted it to end.SG kept getting up andInterjecting impromptu"Milords must take this upAnd do it soon suo motu!".Big Chief smiled and roseSystem retained its clogsSome said they understoodWhy it has gone to the dogs.***.Every now and then, CJI Chandrachud's attempts to make the judiciary tech-savvy were confronted by the advanced age of the judges, like when the Bombay High Court gave up a hybrid mode of hearing. On such occasions, he was not afraid to crack the whip to ensure iPads and laptops did not fall into disuse..Going virtual.(October 10, 2023).Small Chiefs have discoveredA hybrid recipe for elationAppease tech-savvy Big ChiefAnd dream of expedited elevation!.If one can't use computersOne cannot hope to be a judgeThat's Big Chief's stated positionAnd he ain't gonna budge!.Do not try to procrastinateOr draw your own inferenceHe shall brook no excusesUnless made in a video conference!.Why not consider advantages?The benefits of going virtual?Everything will be paperlessJust the cost and fees will be real!.It's being practised at the topWhy can't it be done down below?Big Milords show supreme speedSmall milords have been slow..All HCs now have just two weeksTo implement, report, replyNo one knows what will happenIf some lazy milords don't comply..Technology is taking overBetter to join AI's growing tribeLet's elevate robots and ensureThat we obliterate the word 'bribe'!.***.As CJI, Justice Chandrachud had a love affair with the media. The court under him took a confusing and illiberal turn, but outside the courtroom, he was always ready for a byte or two about progressive ideas, for example when he inaugurated a cafe run by differently-abled persons in the Supreme Court complex..Something to Inaugurate .(November 09, 2023).Those who say we haveToo much on our plateStill find enough time if there'sSomething to inaugurate!.Like an outreach programmeIt's always a great photo-opFor those who love the cameraAnd are right at the topTo do justice anywhereThe Big Boss must be seenEven if it's just samosasHe's consuming in a canteen.No platform is too smallTo feed platitudes to peopleSpeeches too are predictableThis diet is quite staple.Why would justice mindIf it's seen to be doneWhy only the politicians?Milords too deserve some fun!.Next: Mutative middle..Raju Moray writes a regular column for The Leaflet, titled 'Adalat Antics'..If you love the smell of paper along with spicy satire and the ring of laughter, Raju Moray's new book Tales of Law & Laughter is out now.
