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News India Live, Digital Desk: Senior judge of the country’s Supreme Court, Justice B.V. Nagarathna has taken a very tough stance on the corruption and greed flourishing within the judiciary. During a program he bluntly said that there should be no place for ‘greedy judges’ in the system and it is essential to root them out. This statement of Justice Nagarathna has come at a time when there is debate in public forums regarding the credibility of the judiciary. He made it clear that the conduct of a judge should be beyond doubt.
‘Greed’ cannot be tolerated on the seat of justice
Justice Nagarathna, in his address, emphasized on the moral responsibility of the judges and said that if a person sitting on the chair of justice becomes influenced by greed, then it is not only a betrayal of the Constitution but also a murder of the trust of the general public. He expressed concern that if some people within the system work for personal gain, the entire credibility of the judiciary will fall. His message was clear – judges who cannot remain impartial have no right to remain in the judicial service.
Questions raised on appointment and conduct of judges
The Supreme Court judge also talked about the process of selection and monitoring of judges. He said that there should be a ‘screening process’ within the judiciary so that people with corrupt mindset can be weeded out in time. According to Justice Nagarathna, the independence of the judiciary can be secured only when the people working within it keep their integrity paramount. He also advised the young judges to stay away from any kind of temptation.
The biggest challenge is to save the trust of the common man.
Justice Nagarathna said that in a country like India, where people look to the courts as the last hope for justice, corruption of judges is the biggest threat to democracy. He stressed that the life of judicial officers should be like an open book. If the integrity of a judge is tainted, it affects not just one case but the thinking of the entire society. Therefore, ‘cleaning’ the system has now become the need of the hour.
Advice on social media and public conduct
During the speech, he also highlighted the public conduct of the judges and their seriousness in the age of social media. He said that judges should maintain their dignity and avoid any activity that could raise questions about their impartiality. This ‘clean up’ call of Justice Nagarathna has given rise to a new debate in the judicial corridors, which is being seen as a sign of major reforms in the times to come.