Centre wants a new bill to investigate complaints against judges
The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, which was introduced by the UPA government, lapsed when the BJP government took over in 2014.
The Narendra Modi government has sought a modified Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill to investigate complaints of “misbehaviour and incapacity” against judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, PTI reported. The last Bill, introduced by the United Progressive Alliance government, lapsed after the 15th Lok Sabha was dissolved in 2014. A note from the Law Ministry said, “A mandate...to inculcate independence, impartiality and accountability among judges should be considered without delay. This can be done by reintroducing a modified Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill.”
Law Minister DV Sadananda Gowda had said in December that they were seeking suggestions from stakeholders and were working on a new Bill. Changes were introduced in the last draft of the Bill as the judiciary and jurists questioned some of its provisions, after the Lok Sabha passed it in March 2012. The lapsed bill provided for a comprehensive process to handle complaints against judges, as well as a mechanism to take action against those found guilty after investigation.
