Judges' accountability Bill to be tabled in Parliament in Winter Session

After a prolonged delay, the much awaited bill aimed at ensuring the accountability of judges is all set to be introduced in Parliament during the Winter Session beginning next month.

According to the provisions of the The Judges (Inquiry) Bill, a National Judicial Council (NJC) would be given the authority to probe any misconduct by a judge of the Supreme Court or High Courts.

The proposed law, which has incorporated certain amendments to the Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968, provides for a procedure under which any person can make a complaint to the NJC against any judge except the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

The NJC will comprise of the CJI, two senior–most judges of the Supreme Court of India and two senior–most chief justices of the High Courts nominated by the CJI.

The bill provides for inquiries by the NJC in cases of complaints against a judicial officer, official sources said.

The bill was initially proposed to be introduced in Parliament in last year's winter session but this could not be done due to differing views in the judiciary.

Under the new law, a judge against whom prima facie evidence of an illegal act is found, would be asked not to attend courts pending an inquiry, the sources said.

If a judge is found guilty, he will be asked to put in his papers, failing which he will be removed, they said.

The proposed law will make it easier to take action against a judge found guilty.

At present, a complex and long–drawn process of impeachment is required to remove such a judge.