Tighter scrutiny for judges-to-be

Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan announces new steps for better scrutiny of credentials of lawyers aspiring to be judges, reports Bhadra Sinha.

A day after Law Minister HR Bhardwaj criticised the procedure for the appointment of Supreme Court and high court judges, Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan announced new steps for better scrutiny of credentials of lawyers aspiring to be judges.

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The CJI has issued a new proforma which requires lawyers to furnish all the details of their career as well as those of their families and relatives.

The move comes after questions were raised on the appointment of Soumitra Sen, who faced charges of financial irregularities, to the Calcutta High Court as a judge. The CJI recently recommended his impeachment.

The proforma follows a series of reports carried by the Hindustan Times on the need for a more transparent procedure for judges’ appointment.

“So far, we used to take decisions on the basis of whatever documents the high court sent to us. It was impossible for us to verify the background of the candidates. Now, things will change,” the CJI told reporters.

An advocate will now have to submit copies of judgements of cases argued by him independently in last five years of practice.