Bill seeking transparency in judiciary introduced

It aims to bring greater transparency in judiciary by making the judges more accountable, reports Anil Anand.

A Bill seeking to proceed against deviant judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts through a proposed National Judicial Council was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

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The Judges (Inquiry) Bill, was introduced by Law Minister HR Bhardwaj. It aims to bring greater transparency in judiciary by making the judges more accountable.

Significantly, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee permitted the Bill's introduction while over-ruling certain objections by the CPM member V Radhakrishnan.

The Bill provides for procedure under which any person can lodge a complaint to the NJC against judges except the Chief Justice of India. The NJC will consist of the CJI, two seniormost judges of the Apex Court and two seniormost judges of High Courts nominated by the CJI.

However, in the case of a complaint against a Supreme Court judge, the Council shall consist of the CJI and four seniormost judges of the Apex Court to be nominated by the CJI.

Meanwhile, another Bill to make it mandatory for cable operators to transmit Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha channels was also introduced in the Lok Sabha.

I&B Minister PR Dasmunshi introduced the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill.

The Bill proposes to amend Section 8 of the Cable TV Networks and Regulation Act, 1995 to make it compulsory for the cable operators to re-transmit channels transmitted by Parliament in the manner and the name as may be specified by the Centre.

Email Anil Anand: aanand@hindustantimes.com