Parliament Question: Corruption in Judiciary

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2097 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 31st JULY, 2026 CORRUPTION IN JUDICIARY 2097. SHRI SHYAMKUMAR DAULAT BARVE: Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of or has conducted any institutional assessments regarding the scale of structural corruption within the subordinate and higher judiciary; (b) if so, the data on corruption complaints filed, under investigation and disposed of alongside the total number of judicial officers suspended or terminated during the last ten years, year- wise; (c) whether any regulatory mechanisms are proposed to screen allegations of institutional graft or bribery without compromising judicial independence; and (d) the details of funds allocated and systemic reforms initiated to implement mandatory audio- visual recording of court proceedings and automated, algorithmic case-listing to eliminate human discretion and corrupt practices in registry management? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL) (a) to (c): Independence of Judiciary is enshrined in the Constitution of India. Any institutional assessments regarding the scale of structural corruption within the subordinate and higher judiciary is to be addressed by the judiciary itself, as it is an independent organ under the Constitution. The complaints received against Judges and Chief Justices of the High Courts are handled by the judiciary through an “in-house procedure”. As per the “in-house procedure,” Chief Justice of India is competent to receive complaints against the conduct of the Judges of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justices of the High Courts. Similarly, the Chief Justices of the High Courts are competent to receive complaints against the conduct of High Court Judges. 1Under Article 235 of the Constitution of India, the administrative control over the members of district and subordinate judiciary in the States vests with the concerned High Court. In exercise of powers conferred under proviso to Article 309 read with Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution, the respective State Governments, in consultation with the High Court, frame the Rules and Regulations regarding the issue of appointment, promotion, reservation and retirement of Judicial Officers in the State Judicial Service. (d): The Government of India, in consultation with the eCommittee, Supreme Court of India, launched the eCourts Mission Mode Project for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enablement of the judiciary. Under the Phase-III of eCourts project, Rs. 112.26 crore have been allotted for live streaming of court proceedings in 300 courts. The JustIS App (22,534 downloads) developed under the eCourts project helps the judges to effectively organize and monitor judicial work. Under the project, Case Information System (CIS) Software, based on customized Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS), was developed and serves as a comprehensive software platform that enables courts to manage case records electronically, replacing traditional paper-based systems. Currently, CIS 4.0 has been implemented in all courts, with enhanced usability, privacy safeguards and integration with national platforms such as NJDG, e-filing, virtual courts and Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS). **** 2