Description: New Delhi, April 18, 2025 (ANI): Former Additional Solicitor General of India Aman Lekhi on April 18 defended Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar over his comments on Article 142 of the Constitution and said that the judiciary cannot be a wing of the government. “His criticism is misplaced... His comment leans towards excess, and amounts more or less to hyperbole, which people in constitutional positions should be wary of indulging in because there has to be both caution and restraint when you talk about legal and emotive issues. By stirring emotions, you take the mind away from the legality and create a misconception about the whole controversy, which can have long-term consequences because it can create a view that discredits the system. I'm not saying that any system should be averse to scrutiny, but the criticism should be warranted, and the scrutiny should be sensible... The judiciary cannot be a wing of the government... The judiciary is not supposed to oppose the government for the sake of opposing, but the judiciary cannot always be seen as being on the same side as the government because the government is a litigant in the judiciary... The fact that the court is considering legal controversies arising out of the government's act shows that we've got a vibrant and effective legal system that's a tribute to the worth and efficacy of our system, and we should celebrate it.... As long as there's a means of resolution, conflicts are welcome, because conflict shows an intelligent and active polity...,” said Aman Lekhi.
