CJI-Please declare my assets: Justice J.S. Verma

Former Chief Justice of India reitirates - Judicial accountability requires transparency. Public knowledge of the antecedents, assets and liabilities of the judge, spouse and dependents is necessary for adjudging the judge’s conduct and suitability for the performance of official duties.

Accountable or not – Fali S. Nariman

Renowned Jurist Fali S. Nariman states in this article that if the credibility of the higher judiciary is to be restored, as he believes it must — since without the higher judiciary our Constitution simply cannot work — it is essential that every judge of the Supreme Court set an example and voluntarily make a public disclosure of his (or her) assets on the website of the Supreme Court, law or no law.

CJAR Strategic planning meeting

On 11th July 2009, strategic planning meeting of the members of CJAR was held. In this meeting, future course of action of the Campaign was discussed. In this meeting, apart from other issues, recently passed legislation "Gram Nyalalaya Act", recommendation of 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission on Judicial Reforms were also discussed. Minutes of the meeting can be found here. Gram Nyayalaya Act, as passed by parliament can be found here. It can be compared with the Draft Gram Nyalayaya Bill as introduced in Rajya Sabha. Draft Bill can be found here. Excerpts from recommendations of 2nd ARC can be found here. In the meeting, status report of the activities of the CJAR during last year was also presented.

Failing the common people

India has an independent judiciary. Nonetheless, the gaps between codified law and grassroots reality are wide. The Delhi-based Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Judicial Reforms wants matters to change. Prashant Bhushan, one of its leaders, explained what is wrong with the courts and what could make a difference in a D+C/E+Z-interview.

Govt probing assets owned by ex-CJI Sabharwal’s family

In the reply to an application filed under Right to Information Act, Central Government has admitted that pursuant to the complaint from CJAR regarding undue monetary advantage to the family members of Justice Sabharwal due to his controversial orders on sealing the business establishments in Delhi; CBI has been directed to investigate the matter. CBI is investigaing various aspects of the case, including the allegation of misuse of public office by the family members of Justice Sabharwal.

Lack of Judicial Accountability in India

Recently, in a talk in South Asian Studies Department, Princeton, Prashant Bhushan delivered a talk on "Lack of Judicial Accountability in India". In this talk, Prashant has pointed how judiciary has acqired self-perpetrating oligarchy and has bocome powerful. He has also pointed out as to how the judiciary has been making attempts to keep itself cocooned and has dismissed all attempts to make it accountable.

Sacrificing Human Rights and Environmental Rights at the Alter of “Development”

Recently, in a talk in George Washington University Law School, Washington, Prashant Bhushan presented a carefully researched paper titled Sacrificing Human Rights and Environmental Rights at the Altar of “Development”. In this paper, Prashant has pointed how “insensitive” the judiciary is, towards the poor. Indian courts have failed to protect the socio-economic rights of the common people of India who constitute the vast majority of the Indian population. The main reason behind the insensitiveness of judiciary is that the higher judiciary in India invariably comes from the elite section of the society nd it has become a self-appointing and self-perpetuating oligarchy, says Prashant.

RTI on recruitments in DHC

An RTI application was filed in the Delhi High Court seeking information on recruitments of the Class III and Class IV employees from 1990 to 2000. The PIO’s response was that vacant positions were not always advertised nor interviews/tests conducted, whereas on the other hand several hundred temporary and adhoc appointments were made over this period. This goes to expose the complete violation of all rules of fairness and just procedure in recruitment and appointment at the Delhi High Court.

Public Action : 26th Feb. ’09

With the backdrop of a legal tussle over disclosure of assets by Judges, the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reform, organised a public protest outside the Supreme Court, in a bid for greater transparency and accountability in the judiciary. A silent demonstration Near Indian Law Institute, Opposite Supreme Court from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the 26th of February, 2009

Judicial Delays Petition

This petition is to seek redressal for crores of Indian citizens who are routinely denied justice because of its delayed and therefore, ineffective dispensation. It is to restore to them their fundamental and constitutional rights guaranteed under Articles 21, 14, 19 and the Preamble, and to enforce the constitutional obligations of State under Article 39A of the Constitution of India.

An Open Letter to Judges

Eminent persons from different walks of life and movements have written an open letter to all Judges of Supreme Court and all High Courts in India, calling them upon to declare their assets voluntarily and set an example for other public servents.

Article: “Judging the Judges”

Recent cases underline the need for independent Constitutional bodies for the appointment of judges as well as for investigating complaints against them. These cannot be in-house bodies of judges and must be completely independent of the judiciary as well as of the government. Prashant Bhushan writes in Outlook.

Students Workshop

CJAR has yet again organised a Student Workshop on 'Judicial Accountability and Reform' on Saturday, February 7, 2009. This workshop aimed at providing the students with an overview and perspective on the judicial mechanism in the country in the present context. Apart from this, issues and concerns of students was also taken up and addressed through a time of open interaction and learning sessions. Ranking them an important stakeholder group and building for their fuller participation in the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reform.

Press Conference

A Press Conference is being organised by the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reform on the recent controversies relating to appointment and removal of judges, on Monday, 19th January, 2009 at 4p.m. at the Womens Press Corps. The conference will be addressed by Mr. Prashant Bhushan, Senior advocate, Supreme Court of India, Admiral R.H. Tahiliani (retired), former Chief of Naval Staff and Chairman Transparency International, India, Ms. Kamini Jaiswal, Senior advocate, Supreme Court of India and others.

The Judiciary: Hopes and Fear by Prashant Bhushan

When one examines the hopes and fears that one has from judiciary, it is necessary to define the role that one expects the judiciary to play in the country. Apart from dispensing justice in individual disputes brought before it, the judiciary is expected to be the guardian of the Constitution and is supposed to protect the fundamental rights of the people and implement the rule of law.

International Conference

International conference of jurists on ‘Terrorism, Rule of Law & Human Rights’ was held in New Delhi on December 13-14, 2008. text of the Inaugural speech of Justice K.G.Balakrishna, CJI

Students Workshop

A Half-day Students workshop on "Judicial Accountablity and Reforms" was organised by the Campaign on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 6/5 Jangpura B, New Delhi fom 9 am to 1 pm.

Panel Discussion

A Panel discussion on "Judicial Accountability - Appointment, Investigations and Removal" is organised by the Campaign on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at Plenary Hall, Indian Law Institute, Bhagwan Das Road, New Delhi.