Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has expressed concern over the growing trend of treating peaceful dissent and ordinary actions as criminal offences. Speaking at a public event, he said that a healthy democracy must protect the right of people to express different opinions without fear. He stressed that personal liberty and freedom of expression are among the most important values guaranteed by the Constitution.
Justice Bhuyan pointed out that many people remain in jail for long periods while waiting for their bail applications to be heard. He questioned whether prolonged detention before a trial is fair, especially when the accused have not yet been proven guilty. According to him, courts must ensure that justice is delivered without unnecessary delays and that bail is not denied without valid reasons.
He also warned against filing criminal cases over peaceful protests or ordinary activities. He said that a democracy becomes stronger when citizens are free to share their views respectfully, even if those views differ from those of the government or others. Suppressing peaceful disagreement, he noted, can weaken democratic institutions. Justice Bhuyan urged judges, lawyers, and investigating agencies to uphold constitutional values while carrying out their responsibilities. He reminded them that the justice system exists to protect the rights and dignity of every individual. His remarks have renewed discussions on the importance of balancing law enforcement with the protection of civil liberties and ensuring that justice is both fair and timely.
