Justice Varma Case and Government's Response
In 2025, a fire at Justice Yashwant Varma’s bungalow uncovered partially burnt ₹500 currency notes, leading to suspicions of corruption.
The Delhi police and fire department recorded the incident, and the CJI ordered a transparent, in-house inquiry.
Justice Varma denied any wrongdoing, calling it a potential conspiracy, and an investigation by a three-judge committee was initiated.
The inquiry committee is set to investigate, with the CJI suspending Varma from judicial duties until the investigation concludes.
Govt's Push for Control over Judicial Appointments
The government used the Justice Varma case to revive the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), which was previously declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
NJAC would give the government substantial influence over judicial appointments, posing a risk to judicial independence.
The Modi government has delayed judicial appointments and interfered in selections, favoring pro-government candidates and undermining judicial neutrality.
There is concern that the government may use the case to push for more control over judicial decisions.
Challenges with Current Judicial Appointment System
The Collegium system has been criticized for a lack of transparency, nepotism, and improper appointments due to busy schedules of sitting judges.
A better solution could be the creation of an independent, full-time judicial appointments commission, free from government control.
This commission would ensure a transparent, fair process for selecting judges, unlike the current Collegium system that has led to delays and favoritism.
Addressing Judicial Corruption and Misconduct
The judiciary suffers from corruption, and the impeachment process is not effective due to political interference in Parliament.
A Judicial Complaints Commission, independent of both the government and the judiciary, could address this issue by investigating allegations of misconduct.
This commission should have the authority to hold trials for judges, with final decisions subject only to exceptional judicial review, avoiding politicized processes.
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