Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul on his memoir “Without Fear and Kindness” and the growing influence of the executive on the collegium system

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul Judge of the Supreme Court of India, New Delhi. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

Few judges have offered as candid an account of the inner workings of India’s higher judiciary as former Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul. In his memoir Juggernaut, he reflects on a judicial career spanning more than two decades, offering a round-the-clock look at the politics surrounding judicial appointments, the growing influence of the executive branch on the collegium system, and the quiet power struggles simmering beneath the judicial’s institutional facade.

The memoir also offers a rare glimpse into the deliberations behind some of the most significant Supreme Court judgments in recent years and the dilemmas justices face when called upon to reconcile conflicting interests. In an interview at his residence in New Delhi, the veteran lawyer reflects on the need for systemic reforms and the challenges of maintaining the independence of the judiciary.

Published – 01 Nov 2026 05:00 IST