Letter to CJI on MOP

CAMPAIGN FOR JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND REFORMS 6/6 basement Jangpura B, Delhi – 110014 judicialreforms.org, judicialreforms@gmail.com   Patrons:  Justice P.B. Sawant,…

CJAR Statement on measure to improve efficiency of Courts

The problem of judicial delays has recently gained public attention in light of the impassioned appeal by the Chief Justice of India to the Government, at the Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices on 24 April 2016, to increase the strength of judges and clear all pending files relating to judicial appointments.

CJAR Statement on Audio Visual Recording of Court proceedings

In the last one and half years, the Supreme Court of India has been reluctant to allow audio-video (AV) recording of court proceedings. In November 2014, the e-Committee of the Supreme Court rejected the Central Government’s proposal to introduce AV recording in subordinate courts as a part of the e-Courts project. Later in January 2015, a 3-judge bench of the Supreme Court dismissed a petition that proposed the installation of CCTV cameras in the court halls of the Supreme Court. Thereafter, in July 2015 as well, the E-Committee did not consider the Central Government’s proposal to install AV recording systems in subordinate courts on the ground that the courts system in India has not reached the level where recording of court proceedings can be permitted.

Centre for Public Interest litigation’s submissions in response to ques and observation by CJI in 4G case against reliance

Submissions on behalf of Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) signed by 5 senior lawyers Mr. Anil Divan, Mr. Shanti Bhushan, Mr. Colin Gonsalves, Ms. Kamini Jaiswal and Mr. Prashant Bhushan, were mentioned before the CJI bench of Supreme Court by Mr. Shanti Bhushan and Mr. Colin Gonsalves, and were taken on record by the CJI Bench.

CJAR Convention – Press Release 23rd November 2015

Delhi, 23 November 2015: The two-day convention on judicial accountability and reforms, organised by the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) concluded with the formation of a campaign committee and the adoption of an agenda for the campaign for coming year. The campaign committee consisted of more than 15 peoples’ campaigns that came together with a strong assertion that justice concerns everyone and ensuring the accountability of the judicial system would be the shared responsibility of a range of peoples’ movements and campaigns.

Prashant Bhushan files additional affidavit in Supreme Court on Contempt of Court Proceedings

The Controversy began when Prashant gave an interview in Tehalka and expressed that out of the last 16 to 17 Chief Justices, half have been corrupt. Mr Harish Salve, who was acting as Amicus Curiae in one of the mattersin Supreme Court filed a Contempt of Court Petition in the Supreme Court. Court issued notice to Prashant and Prashant filed his first reply to this. In this reply, he gave some instances of corrupt practices of some of the previous Chief Justices. Prashant filed second affidavit to place on record some facts, material and evidence which he was aware of when he made the statement about the former Chief Justices, so as to dispel any impression that his statements were baseless or made with reckless disregard to the truth. However, Prashant reiterates that in his statement about half of the last 16-17 Chief Justices being corrupt, he "certainly did not intend to paint the entire judiciary or the entire Supreme Court with the same brush".

Press Statement against Survery of India probe into Justice Dinakaran encroachment

Press Statement issued by the Forum for Judicial Accountability against the Survey of India spot probe into the allegations of land encroachment by the Karnataka Chief Justice, P.D. Dinakaran, to be conducted on December 30th as reported in a newspaper. The Forum calls upon the Central Government to recall the three member team deputed by the Survey of India immediately and to await the outcome of the enquiry under the impeachment proceedings

Ghaziabad provident fund scam main accused dies under mysterious circumstances

Ashutosh Asthana, the main accused in the Ghaziabad provident fund scam, was found dead in his prison cell on 17th October 2009. It is known that he was clearly under a lot of pressure, as was evident from his statement in which he tried to change his first confessional statement as well as another affidavit through his lawyer in which he stated that he had given the second statement under pressure. In his S. 164 confessional statement before the Magistrate of Ghazibad court, he had confessed that of the 7 crore embezzled, he had given cash and gifts such as air conditioners, refrigerators, expensive clothes, jewellery and furniture to many judges including judges of the High Court and a Supreme Court judge.

Contempt of Court & the Conflict of Interest ControversyLast week there were newspaper reports that the Supreme Court has permitted the filing of a contempt petition against Mr. Prashant Bhushan for allegedly casting aspersions against some judges includi

Here's an excellent article by Manoj Mitta (Times of India) that unfolds interesting aspects of the Justice Kapadia conflict of interest controvesy and how this principle (also importantly adopted by the SC judges in 1997 through the Restatement of Judicial Values), has been completely violated by Justice Kapadia in his hearing and deciding this and other Sterlite cases.

CJAR Public Statement on SC judges decision to put their assets on website

The decision of the Supreme Court judges to put their asset declarations on the Supreme Court website is a welcome first step towards transparency and accountability of judges in this country. It is also a tribute to the power of public opinion... However, this decision of the Supreme Court judges does not obviate the need for a law to make such public declarations compulsory. Indeed, the law must provide for an annual public declaration of assets and liabilities as well as income tax returns of all public servants, including judges

The Judges’ Assets Saga

In February 2009, the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reform (CJAR) issued an Open Letter to Judges of all the High Courts and the Supreme Court to publicly declare their assets. It was urged through this letter, that by making a public declaration of their assets, Judges' would be setting an example of transparency in the country which would then be emulated by other public servants in the country. In response to this letter, Justice K. Kannan of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, perhaps the first judge to voluntarily make his assets public, sent an email to Mr. Prashant Bhushan, Convener, CJAR, stating, that while he held views against the demand for public declaration of judges' assets, he had no qualms in sharing his financial and property details, which he attached to the email. The correspondence between Mr. Prashant Bhushan and Justice Kannan can be accessed here. Further the document sent by Justice Kannan detailing his point of view can also be read here. open letter declaration of assets.pdf,650,600,link{/edocs}

CJAR Statement on proposed Bill on Declaration of Assets

Government of India has recently declared that bill is proposed to be tabled in the parliament on the issue of declaration of assets by the judges. This bill mandates all judges to compulsorily declare their assets to respective Chief Justices. In light of this, Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms have issued a public statement. Through this statement, CJAR has called for a public and annual declaration of assets by the Judges to ensure that the objective of transparency through this proposed Bill is achieved. The statement also appeals that the proposed Bill be finalised after effective consultation with civil society. The statement has been endorsed by many eminent persons from all walks of life.

Second National People’s Conventionn

On 23-24 February 2008, the Second National Peoples' Convention on the Judiciary and the Poor was held at the Indian Society for International Law, 9 Bhagwan Dass Road, New Delhi. The Convention was attended by representatives of the Peoples Movements, activists, Lawyers, students of law and eminent scholars. The convention started with the inaugral video address by Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer from his home in Kochi. The Convention concluded with a Campaign Statement which was endorsed by all the participating organisations and Individuals.

First People’s Convention

On 10-11 March 2007, the First People’s Convention on Judicial Accountability & Reforms and was organised at New Delhi . Attended by over 200 people, the meeting saw active participation of representatives of civil society organisations, eminent jurists, lawyers and concerned individuals. Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer sent a message for the campaign with full of encouragement and support. The inaugural address was given by Justice P.B.Sawant pointed out that except for an unworkable system of impeachment, no action can be taken against the higher judiciary. The manner in which judges are appointed has also made the judicial system a law unto itself.

Second National Peoples’ Convention on The Judiciary and the Poor , 23rd -24th February, 2008

On 23-24 February 2008, the Second National Peoples' Convention on the Judiciary and the Poor was held at the Indian Society for International Law, 9 Bhagwan Dass Road, New Delhi. The Convention was attended by representatives of the Peoples Movements, activists, Lawyers, students of law and eminent scholars. The convention started with the inaugral video address by Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer from his home in Kochi. The Convention concluded with a Campaign Statement which was endorsed by all the participating organisations and Individuals.