Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad called for strict judicial accountability and transparency in appointments. Key proposals include judge asset disclosures, transfer rules, and a permanent oversight committee.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: The National Executive Committee of Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad held a special meeting on April 13, 2025, in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, where they passed an important resolution about improving the accountability of the higher judiciary, while also protecting its independence.
The Parishad raised serious concerns about recent incidents involving the judiciary and demanded a transparent and proper system to monitor the conduct of judges.
They said clearly,
“While protecting the independence of judiciary, one must not lose sight of the accountability – accountability not to the conscience of each individual but to the society through a permanent mechanism which is transparent and verifiable.”
To ensure this, the Parishad asked for a new law that would bring transparency in judicial appointments and conduct. One major suggestion was to create a permanent committee that would include former Chief Justices of India (CJIs), former High Court Chief Justices, and other respected people.
This committee would be responsible for looking into the performance and accountability of sitting judges.
The Parishad stressed the need to implement the Bengaluru Declaration on judicial accountability.
They said,
“A permanent committee must be formed forthwith by the Supreme Court with former CJIs and CJs of High Courts and eminent persons to deal with accountability (including conducting of courts) of the present incumbents in office. The Bengaluru Declaration for accountability made at the conference of Hon’ble Judges must be put into practice in a transparent, verifiable manner through this permanent mechanism.”
Apart from this, the Parishad made several other important suggestions to ensure honesty, fairness, and trust in the judicial system:
- Family members of sitting Supreme Court judges should not be allowed to practice in the Supreme Court.
They stated,
“If it pertains to a Supreme Court judge, that particular family member may not practice in the Supreme Court till that judge retires.”
- High Court judges whose close relatives are lawyers in the same state should be considered for transfer.
The Parishad clearly mentioned,
“The judges of High Courts may be put on notice for transfer if their family members, close relatives practice within the jurisdiction of the respective High Court or insubordinate courts within that state.”
- Judges and their close family members must declare their assets every year, and these asset details should be uploaded to the official court websites for public viewing.
- The Parishad recommended a cooling-off period of three years for retired judges before they can accept any government-appointed posts or arbitration roles. This step is to maintain neutrality and avoid any conflict of interest.
- They also asked for a uniform retirement age for judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, so that there is fairness in terms of service duration.
- Lastly, the Parishad pushed for diversity in judicial appointments. They said at least one-third of judges in every High Court should be from other states, to make sure there is no bias or favoritism.
They added,
“Every High Court must have one-third of judges from other High Courts. It may be recalled that this was introduced and implemented to some extent during the tenure of Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah.”
The National Executive Committee of the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad includes many senior legal experts, such as K. Srinivasa Murthy (President) and D. Bharat Kumar (General Secretary), who continue to play a key role in pushing for reforms in the Indian judicial system.
Would You Like Assistance In Drafting A Legal Notice Or Complaint?
CLICK HERE
Click Here to Read Our Reports on PM Modi
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
