Law & Justice
Former Supreme Court Judge Reflects on Judicial Appointments and Executive Influence
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul has provided a candid account of the inner workings of India’s higher judiciary in his memoir, *Without Fear or Favour* (Juggernaut). The book chronicles a judicial career that spans more than twenty years and offers a close view of the politics surrounding judicial appointments, the growing influence of the executive over the collegium system, and the quiet power struggles that exist beneath the judiciary’s institutional façade. Kaul also gives readers a rare glimpse into the deliberations that preceded some of the apex court’s most consequential judgments in recent years, as well as the dilemmas judges face when they must reconcile competing interests. In an interview at his residence in New Delhi, the veteran jurist spoke about the need for systemic reforms and the challenges of preserving judicial independence. Published – November 01, 2026 05:00 am IST
Frequently asked questions
Who authored the memoir "Without Fear or Favour"?
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul.
What topics does the memoir cover?
It covers judicial appointments, executive influence over the collegium system, power struggles, deliberations before judgments, judges' dilemmas, and the need for reforms.
Where was the interview conducted?
At Justice Kaul's residence in New Delhi.