Justice BV Nagarathna warns against greed in judiciary, calls for accountability

Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna on Saturday (April 18) said that if judges are unable to live within their means and fall prey to greed even after the top court had accepted the 2nd National Judicial Pay Commission's recommendations on an increase in salaries and allowances for the judges of the District Judiciary, they should be “weeded out” of the system.

"There has been an adequate increase in salaries and allowances for the Judges in the District Judiciary, thanks to the Pay Commission's recommendations being accepted by the Supreme Court,” she said as quoted by Live Law.

Justice Nagarathna also cautioned judges against "external pressure", adding that they may face it from their own colleagues.

Warns against greed and peer pressure

"Judges who are unable to live within their known sources of income and fall prey to greed and temptation must be weeded out of the system. I must add that Judges must be free from external pressures or from their colleagues,” she said.

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“They must develop courage and independence. There cannot be any “coordination” in decision-making. A tainted decision by a Judge is a black mark on the Judge and on the Judiciary itself. Hence, let us realise and be conscious of our duty to the litigant public and to the nation,” added the judge.

Speaking at the 22nd Biennial State Level Conference of Judicial Officers held in Bengaluru on the theme "Reimagining the Judiciary in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, she further stated that the High Courts must ensure that district judges feel protected and supported by them in the discharge of their duties.

Fair administration under Article 235

Justice Nagarathna, then, turned to the question of institutional control under Article 235, pointing to the need for consistency in how High Courts handle promotions, postings and transfers within the district judiciary.

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“A fair, transparent and responsive administration by High Courts is essential to preserve both the independence and morale of Judges at the district level. I must say that fairness of the Registry of the High Court while dealing with the District Judiciary is equally important, for no judicial officer must feel that he/she has been left in the lurch only because the Registry of the High Court is not taking necessary steps at an appropriate time to assuage their genuine grievances,” she said.