Govt hints at bringing afresh Bill on judges’ accountability

With the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill lapsing, the government on Thursday indicated that a fresh Bill could be brought to change the present system of probing complaints of misbehaviour and incapacity against judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.

“The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill has lapsed... We are working on it,” Law Minister DV Sadananda Gowda said in the Lok Sabha. He said any decision will be taken “after taking suggestions from stakeholders”.

Gowda was responding to questions on judiciary, including pending cases, allegations of corruption against judges and lack of transparency in their appointment. The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill moved by the UPA government had lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.