The decision to disclose the assets and liabilities in public by the Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts will go long way in maintaining probity in Judiciary. Those who issue writs to others for public accountability and transparency must be first in setting example for other institutions and public men lest in due course of time , Judiciary which is the last hope for the people will submerge in corruption heralding the doom’s day for the nation.
Already instances of corruption and judges involving in big scams are reported in the media raising eyebrows of many. Unfortunately the Chief Justice of India, raising the bogy of harassment, opposed the ruling of the Central Information Commission and un-precedentedly went to Court challenging its order causing colossal damage to the reputation of the Judiciary. The Government‘s attempt to shield the Judges with legislation introducing the Judges (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Bill, 2009 in the Parliament embellished the cloud around the Judiciary. At least sensing the mood of the nation, the Chief Justice ought to have come out taking his colleges in to confidence, for disclosing the assets, as a damage control measure.
The lead however had to come from Justice Shylendra Kumar, Judge High Court of Karnataka. He defied the Chief Justice of India and spoke for the silent majority who suffered the embarrassment caused by the Chief Justice of India. Gathering strength, other Judges also joined Justice Shylendra Kumar. His appeal to all his brother and sister judges of the superior courts to disclose particulars of their assets for the information to the public forced the Chief Justice to reverse his stand on the issue. Justice Shylendra Kumar’s action thus will be remembered as long as Democracy and Rule of Law continue to govern our nation.
The apprehension of the Chief Justice that disclosure of assets will impair the independence of judges and affect their functioning is totally unfounded. The disclosure may put to trail those with unclean hands but that can cause little damage to the institution. Rather exposure of such dishonest and corrupt judges will serve best in maintaining probity in Judiciary. Sheltering the corrupt under the cover of contempt of court will blow up the institution itself.
Already instances of corruption and judges involving in big scams are reported in the media raising eyebrows of many. Unfortunately the Chief Justice of India, raising the bogy of harassment, opposed the ruling of the Central Information Commission and un-precedentedly went to Court challenging its order causing colossal damage to the reputation of the Judiciary. The Government‘s attempt to shield the Judges with legislation introducing the Judges (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Bill, 2009 in the Parliament embellished the cloud around the Judiciary. At least sensing the mood of the nation, the Chief Justice ought to have come out taking his colleges in to confidence, for disclosing the assets, as a damage control measure.
The lead however had to come from Justice Shylendra Kumar, Judge High Court of Karnataka. He defied the Chief Justice of India and spoke for the silent majority who suffered the embarrassment caused by the Chief Justice of India. Gathering strength, other Judges also joined Justice Shylendra Kumar. His appeal to all his brother and sister judges of the superior courts to disclose particulars of their assets for the information to the public forced the Chief Justice to reverse his stand on the issue. Justice Shylendra Kumar’s action thus will be remembered as long as Democracy and Rule of Law continue to govern our nation.
The apprehension of the Chief Justice that disclosure of assets will impair the independence of judges and affect their functioning is totally unfounded. The disclosure may put to trail those with unclean hands but that can cause little damage to the institution. Rather exposure of such dishonest and corrupt judges will serve best in maintaining probity in Judiciary. Sheltering the corrupt under the cover of contempt of court will blow up the institution itself.
2 comments:
I was astonished why the super team captain of the third estate lacks this vision of probity, sustainable development, accountability and sense of social engineering, whereas even the junior most members of the fraternity like us do possess. Sir, Really this is a laudable effort to update us of your reflections and keeping us abreast of the events happen around us.
Sir, i doubt whether the word "embarassment" is misspelt as "embracement" in 3rd line of 3rd para.
With thoughts of gratitude and respect,
yours humble disciple, Ashkar
You are right . I misspelled the word embarrassment.I remain obliged for the mistake pointed out in the article.I am grateful and obliged for mistake pointed to me and for the inspiring comment.
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