Judge warns of “constitutional breakdown” if institutions lose autonomy
April 4, 2026: Justice B V Nagarathna of the Supreme Court on Saturday stressed that the Election Commission of India and other key constitutional bodies must function independently, free from political influence. Speaking at Chanakya National Law University in Patna, she underlined that autonomy is essential to maintain democratic integrity and ensure fairness in governance.
She cautioned that a constitutional breakdown does not always happen abruptly but can occur gradually when institutions stop acting as checks and balances on each other. Even if elections continue and laws are passed, she said, the system weakens when structural discipline erodes. According to her, bodies like the Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Finance Commission are designed to remain insulated but may still face challenges in maintaining neutrality.
Highlighting the significance of elections, Justice Nagarathna said they are not just routine exercises but the foundation of political authority. She added that control over the electoral process directly impacts the fairness of political competition. Emphasising the broader health of the Constitution, she noted that it depends on meaningful legislative debate and an executive that operates strictly within the law.