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Govt to repeal law on removal of judges: Moily
The Government on Wednesday said it would move a fresh bill in parliament to replace the four decade-old law dealing with the removal of corrupt judges with a new and effective law for quick action.
The Government on Wednesday said it would move a fresh bill in parliament to replace the four decade-old law dealing with the removal of corrupt judges with a new and effective law for quick action.
Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily said the procedure for removal (impeachment) in the existing Judges Inquiry Act, 1968, was time consuming and it required a change.
“The 1968 law deals only with the impeachment process of judges and nothing else. There are many complaints of corruption against judges now.
“We are thinking it should be replaced by a comprehensive Judges Standards and Accountability Bill,” Moily said.
Asked how much time would the government take in preparing the new bill, he said the ministry hoped to seek the cabinet’s approval within a fortnight.
“After that we want to present it before the parliament during the coming winter session,” the minister said.
On whether the government was planning to update the 1968 law by making some additions to it, Moily replied : “We intend to repeal it and bring out a new comprehensive bill.”
This will be the fourth attempt in six years to seek the parliamentary approval for setting-up an effective mechanism for removal of corrupt judges.
The government may also take a fresh look at judges appointments. “Already there is a memorandum of procedure on appointment of judges that is being followed... We have to revisit the procedure. Whatever we do, we need to take the judiciary into full confidence,” he said.
