Lokpal Bill
June 11, 2011
Lok Pal and Judiciary
A key aspect of the current debate about Lok Pal is about whether the Judiciary should be brought under the jurisdiction of Lok Pal. This issue figured prominently even in the consensus-building effort ‘Round Table on Lok Pal’ held in New Delhi, on April 24, 2011. There was a broad consensus among the participants that the accountability and probity in higher judiciary should be ensured, but through a separate and powerful mechanism of National Judicial Commission (NJC) along with the accountability framework as provided by the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill (2010). A panel of eminent jurists comprising of Justice MN Venkatachaliah, Justice JS Verma and Justice VR Krishna Iyer, with Foundation for Democratic Reforms’ initiative has prepared a viable model of National Judicial Commission after detailed examination of the issue and extensive deliberations.
Judiciary, the most trusted Indian institution:
Our nation-builders have acted with great foresight in creating an independent judiciary and nurturing it with respect and care. As a result, judiciary is among the most respected institutions in our country today. It is this trust and confidence that make the general public yearn for judicial resolution of many conflicts and contentious issues. The broad national consensus that contentious issues like Ayodhya are best left to the judiciary is a tribute to the credibility and trust the higher courts enjoy in our country. On other critical questions like reservations, inter-state disputes and the application of Article 356 or Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, the mature and balanced role of Courts in reconciling various interests and upholding the spirit and letter of the Constitution has been of inestimable value in dousing flames of passion and prejudice, and bringing peace and harmony to society. Independence, impartiality, integrity and competence of the judiciary are at the core of our Constitutional order.
Lok Pal and Judiciary
A key aspect of the current debate about Lok Pal is about whether the Judiciary should be brought under the jurisdiction of Lok Pal. This issue figured prominently even in the consensus-building effort ‘Round Table on Lok Pal’ held in New Delhi, on April 24, 2011. There was a broad consensus among the participants that the accountability and probity in higher judiciary should be ensured, but through a separate and powerful mechanism of National Judicial Commission (NJC) along with the accountability framework as provided by the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill (2010). A panel of eminent jurists comprising of Justice MN Venkatachaliah, Justice JS Verma and Justice VR Krishna Iyer, with Foundation for Democratic Reforms’ initiative has prepared a viable model of National Judicial Commission after detailed examination of the issue and extensive deliberations.
Judiciary, the most trusted Indian institution:
Our nation-builders have acted with great foresight in creating an independent judiciary and nurturing it with respect and care. As a result, judiciary is among the most respected institutions in our country today. It is this trust and confidence that make the general public yearn for judicial resolution of many conflicts and contentious issues. The broad national consensus that contentious issues like Ayodhya are best left to the judiciary is a tribute to the credibility and trust the higher courts enjoy in our country. On other critical questions like reservations, inter-state disputes and the application of Article 356 or Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, the mature and balanced role of Courts in reconciling various interests and upholding the spirit and letter of the Constitution has been of inestimable value in dousing flames of passion and prejudice, and bringing peace and harmony to society. Independence, impartiality, integrity and competence of the judiciary are at the core of our Constitutional order.