CJAR has raised concerns over the use of state-sponsored and private aircraft for official travel by the Chief Justice of India and several Supreme Court judges. The group warned that such arrangements by governments that frequently litigate in the Supreme Court may raise questions about judicial propriety and public perception of independence.
The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) on Thursday (March 5) expressed serious concern regarding the use of state resources and privately arranged aircraft for official travel undertaken by the Chief Justice of India and several sitting judges of the Supreme Court of India.
In a detailed statement issued on March 5, the organisation said that the arrangements made during recent official visits to Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have raised important questions about judicial propriety, transparency and the perception of judicial independence.
CJAR stated that the manner in which the visits were organised and publicised could create doubts in the public mind regarding whether established ethical standards governing judges’ conduct have been properly followed.
According to the organisation, publicly available information indicates that multiple aircraft, including private and government-operated planes, were arranged for the travel of Supreme Court judges and their staff during the visits.
As per the details cited by CJAR, a chartered aircraft operated by a private aviation service was used for travel from Delhi to Ahmedabad by the judges and their accompanying staff. After reaching Ahmedabad, the Chief Justice of India reportedly travelled from Ahmedabad to Tirupati using an aircraft provided by the Government of Gujarat.
Further, the Government of Andhra Pradesh is said to have arranged two special aircraft for onward travel from Tirupati to Vijayawada and from Vijayawada back to Delhi. These flights were reportedly used by six Supreme Court judges along with some members of their families.
CJAR noted that these arrangements raise concerns particularly because both Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh frequently appear as litigants before the Supreme Court of India in various legal matters.
The organisation said that if such travel facilities were indeed arranged and provided by state governments that regularly appear before the apex court, it could raise questions about the perception of neutrality and independence of the judiciary.
CJAR also pointed out that the use of a privately chartered aircraft for travel by judges may create a public perception of special privilege, which could lead to concerns about undue influence or compromise of judicial independence.
In its statement, CJAR referred to the ethical standards laid down in the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life” adopted by the Supreme Court in 1997. These principles require judges to maintain high standards of integrity and avoid any conduct that may create even the appearance of impropriety.
Quoting the guidelines, CJAR highlighted the principles that govern judicial conduct and the expectations from members of the higher judiciary.
The statement reproduced the following provisions from the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life:
“Justice must not only be done but it must also be seen to be done. The behaviour and conduct of members of the higher judiciary must reaffirm the people’s faith in the impartiality of the judiciary. Accordingly, any act of a Judge of the Supreme Court of a High Court, whether in official or personal capacity, which erodes the credibility of this perception has to be avoided.”
“A judge should practice a degree of aloofness consistent with the dignity of his office.”
“A judge shall not accept gifts or hospitality except from his family, close relations and friends.”
“Every judge must at all times be conscious that he is under the public gaze and there should be no act or omission by him which is unbecoming of the high office he occupies and the public esteem in which that office is held.”
CJAR emphasised that these ethical standards are intended to ensure that judges remain independent and free from both actual influence and the perception of influence. According to the organisation, situations in which judges accept expensive travel arrangements or hospitality from governments that are regular litigants before the Supreme Court may weaken public confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary.
The organisation also stressed that maintaining the appearance of independence is as important as maintaining independence itself, especially in a constitutional democracy where the judiciary plays a critical role in protecting citizens’ rights and ensuring the rule of law.
In view of these concerns, CJAR has called upon the concerned State governments as well as the Supreme Court of India to clarify the circumstances under which these travel arrangements were made.
The organisation specifically asked whether such facilities were provided as part of standard protocol applicable to the Chief Justice of India and other Supreme Court judges. It also sought clarification regarding who bore the financial cost of the aircraft and related arrangements.
CJAR concluded by reiterating the importance of preserving public trust in the judiciary and ensuring that judges remain free from any real or perceived influence.
According to the organisation, the judiciary must continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity and independence in order to maintain the confidence of the people in its role as an impartial guardian of justice.
Click Here to Read Our Reports on Copyright Strikes
