NEW DELHI: The Chief Justice of India, Mr. Justice Sabyasachi Mukherji, has sought the views of chief justices of all high courts on the setting up of machinery within the judiciary to look into allegations of corruption against judges.
In an identical letter written to all chief justices of the country’s high courts on July 18, Mr. Justice Mukherji said such a machinery could investigate the conduct or misconduct of any member of the judiciary either suo moto or whenever an allegation was made against him “which gains public credence.”
The Chief Justice has also asked the chief justices to give their views on what type of allegations and the status of the party or person airing such allegations were to be informally investigated.
Mr. Justice Mukherji noted that the conference of chief justices had all along resisted framing of any formal code of conduct for “obvious reasons” and suggested holding a discussion on the alternative scheme in the forthcoming chief justices conference.
He said he was writing the letter in view of the recent press reports high lighting purported shortcomings in the conduct of judges. “Since this is a matter which concerns us all, I would emphasize that it is important that you (high court chief justices) should have the views of as many judges of your courts as possible before the matter is discussed in the ensuing conference,” Mr. Justice Mukherji said.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 17, 1990
