Parliamentary Panel submits report on Judicial Accountability Bill

The Parliamentary Standing committee that examined the Judicial Accountability and Standards bill recommended that Judges should not make unnecessary comments on statutory authorities while adjudicating on issues brought before them. 

The report of the committee was tabled in both the houses of parliament on Tuesday.

Later briefing media, the committee chairman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the bill seeks to balance judicial independence with accountability.  He said 12 judicial standards have been prescribed for members of higher judiciary.

Singhvi said the committee recommended certain changes in the proposed bill. The most important being to reform the process of appointment of judges to attract the best talent to the bench.

The committee said non-judicial members should be included in both the scrutiny and oversight committees.

Penalty for making false and frivolous complaints against judges is also proposed to be reduced to just one year from the five years as proposed in the bill.

Singhvi explained that oversight committee that monitors conduct of the judges will set up scrutiny committees at the Apex Court and all the High Courts to examine the complaint.

If prima facie is established oversight committee will set up investigation committee for a thorough probe before a recommendation is made to the President.