Parliament Question: Examination of complaints against judges

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 760 ANSWERED ON 05/02/2026 EXAMINATION OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST JUDGES

760. DR. KANIMOZHI NVN SOMU:

Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:

(a) whether complaints against judges received by the Chief Justice of India and the Chief Justices of High Courts are examined under the in-house procedure;

(b) the number of cases concluded under the in-house mechanism during the last five years and the broad outcomes thereof, such as closure, advisory or other action, without disclosing identities; and

(c) if outcomes are not shared, the reasons therefor? 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. The complaints received against Judges and Chief Justices of the High Courts are handled by the judiciary through an “in-house mechanism”. The Supreme Court of India, on 7th May, 1997, adopted two Resolutions namely (i) "The Restatement of Values of Judicial Life" which lays down certain judicial standards and principles to be observed and followed by the Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts and (ii) "In-house procedure" for taking suitable remedial measure against Judges who do not follow the universally accepted values of judicial life including those in the Restatement of values of Judicial Life including those included in the Restatement of Values of Judicial life. As per the established “In-house procedure” for the Higher Judiciary, the Chief Justice of India is competent to receive complaints of the High Courts. Similarly, the Chief Justices of the High Courts are competent to receive complaints against the conduct of High Court Judges.

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