Team Herald
PANJIM: As actions and decisions of the judicial system raises serious questions with regards to its independence and accountability, noted political analyst in the State has demanded a National Judicial Commission. The demand also comes at a time when corruption and nepotism in the judiciary is being debated widely.
“Judiciary is independent to the extent to which the judges guard its independence and to what extend they respect independence as a value. We cannot confidently say that the judiciary is accountable to the citizens/clients/customers/litigants, although judiciary creates hope. We need a national judicial commission with permanent secretariat for appointment, transfer, performance, appraisal, disciplinary action and handling of complaints,” Prabhakar Timble, also an educationist said while addressing a public seminar on ‘Independence and Accountability of the Judiciary’ on Friday.
He stated that although the Indian Constitution has guaranteed independence of judiciary, given pioneering judgements and guarding democracy, liberty and secularism; the independence and accountability cannot be taken for granted. “There is a need to strengthen and foster both rather than giving it to be managed by the executive and the collegiums of judges,” he added.
In the same breath he commented that the Indian judiciary is relatively independent unlike the executive and administrative set up. He also applauded the confidential procedures in appointing judges. “Appointments of judges are the best kept secret of the country, much better than defence secrets,” he opined. Timble however expressed disappointment wherein the judiciary at times gives up to unauthorised situations.
