Parliament Question: Mechanism to Address Corruption in Courts

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4644 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 20TH MARCH, 2026 MECHANISM TO ADDRESS CORRUPTION IN COURTS †4644. SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL: Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has developed any mechanism for filing complaints related to corruption against the presiding officers or judges of the District Courts, High Courts and Supreme Court of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) the details of complaints received against presiding officers or judges of courts at various levels during the last five years, State-wise and court category-wise; and (d) the details of the disposal of complaints against presiding officers or judges of courts at various levels during the last five years, State-wise and court category-wise? 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 (d): 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 [1]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. As per the established “In-house procedure” for the Higher Judiciary, the Chief Justice of India is competent to receive complaints against Judges of the Supreme Court and 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. Under 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, reservations and retirement of Judicial Officers in the State Judicial Service. **** [2]