At a seminar in Kathmandu, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud spoke of his childhood ordeal, when he was so humiliated that he endured corporal punishment to hide his injured palm from his parents. Speaking at a national symposium on juvenile justice organized by the Supreme Court of Nepal, CJI Chandrachud reflected on the lingering impact of the incident.
“I still remember asking my teacher to spank me instead of my hand. I was too embarrassed to tell my parents and hid my injured right palm for 10 days,” CJI Chandrachud told a media outlet. He is said to have told Recalling an episode from his fifth grade, the Chief Justice clarified his plea in court. Preferring a blow to the butt to the hand, the teacher referred to the broader context of juvenile justice and stressed that it is essential to recognize the vulnerability of children caught up in legal disputes.
“Children's delinquent behavior”
“Children are often driven to delinquent behavior by complex social challenges such as economic disparity and social inequality. Family breakdown due to issues such as domestic violence and poverty “They may not receive the guidance they need and may be more susceptible to negative consequences,” he said.
The Chief Justice echoed his late father's commitment to judicial empathy, advocating for a judicial system steeped in compassion, rehabilitation, and a path to reintegration. He referred to a recent case before the Supreme Court of India regarding the termination of pregnancy of a minor rape victim, and emphasized that the judiciary plays a vital role in protecting the rights of children.
DY Chandrachud arrived in Kathmandu on May 3 on a three-day official trip. He is the first sitting Chief Justice of India to visit Nepal. Mr. Chandrachud, who came here at the invitation of Chief Justice of Nepal Bishwonbar Prasad Shrestha, was received by Dr. Ananda Mohan Bhattarai, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal, upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Supreme Court spokesperson Ved Prasad Upreti said this was the first official visit to Nepal by a sitting Chief Justice of India. India's Chief Justice on Saturday met Nepal's Chief Justice Bishawanbar Prasad Shrestha and discussed ways of cooperation between the neighboring countries' top courts.
According to Supreme Court Spokesperson Ved Prasad Upreti, the two Chief Justices discussed the possibility of cooperation and interaction between the Supreme Courts of Nepal and India. CJ Shrestha of Nepal also hosted a dinner reception to commemorate Chief Justice Chandrachud's visit.
