The Court also quoted twice from the book Literature of Law.
First was Lord Mansfield‘s words at the trial of the radical John Wilkes in 1770.
“I will not do that which my conscience tells me is wrong, upon this occasion, to gain the huzzas of thousands, or the daily praise of all the papers which come from the press: I will not avoid doing what I think is right; though it should draw on me the whole artillery of libels; all that falsehood and malice can invent, or the credulity of a deluded populace can swallow.”
Then the words of Judge Hiller B. Zobel at the trial of the Nanny Louise Woodward in 1998 was also adverted to.
“Elected officials may consider popular urging and sway to public opinion polls, Judges must follow their oaths and do their duty, heedless ofeditorials, letters, telegrams, picketers, threats, petitions, panellists and talk shows. In this country, we do not administer justice by plebiscite.”
“Both the above quotations extracted from the book ‘Literature of the Law’ echo, in no uncertain terms, the sentiments of this Court. I leave it at that“, the Court said.
Source: Barandbench
