Abstract: This study investigates the nuanced perspectives of legal professionals and the wider public regarding the Indian judiciary's role in safeguarding rights under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. A comprehensive survey was conducted with 384 participants, stratified by age, gender, occupation, education, and years of experience. The age distribution revealed that 25.8% were 20-30 years old, with a notable concentration in younger demographics. Gender analysis indicated a male majority at 56.3%. Occupation data showed that 26.8% were academics/professors, followed by legal researchers (25.8%) and law students (21.4%). Regarding educational qualifications, 31.3% held a Master’s degree, while 25.8% had a Ph.D. Participants with 8-10 years of experience constituted 23.4%, the largest group. Key findings indicate gender-based differences in judicial effectiveness perceptions, with males showing polarized views (strong agreement at 59 for males vs. 34 for females). Age-based analysis revealed that younger respondents (20-30 years) are more inclined towards positive views on judicial independence. In terms of transparency, younger participants (under 30) exhibited strong opinions, either positive or negative, compared to the balanced views of older respondents (over 50 years). Responses on media influence indicated that males (42% disagree, 36% strongly disagree) were more skeptical compared to females. Legal professionals displayed varied opinions on judicial impartiality and the influence of political ideologies, with law students and legal researchers showing more positive perspectives. This study underscores the significance of demographic factors in shaping perceptions of judicial effectiveness and independence, highlighting the need for continuous evaluation of these influences to uphold judicial integrity.

Keywords: Judicial Independence, Article 21, Public Perception, Transparency in Judiciary.