It is this mindset that has unfortunately become an anachronism today.The anachronism is founded on two seemingly disparate developments. Without independence, such an institution is a pipedream; without accountability, the citizenry will be unable to fully trust its judges. Over the years, an absurd view has taken hold that any parliamentary attempt to reform the judiciary is akin to a political takeover. The judiciary today longs to return to a gentler age when norms and values, rather than codes of conduct underpinned judicial behaviour. (Arghya Sengupta is research director, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, and author of the book Independence and Accountability of the Indian Higher Judiciary.

Source: Economic Times May 11, 2019 17:20 UTC