A judge above contempt
Justice Katju has wisely said that people have a right to criticise judges
He said that it was a fundamental principle in democracy that the people are supreme, and that all authorities — judges, legislators, ministers, bureaucrats, and so on — were servants of the people, and should be proud to be servants of the people. He did not stop there.
Since the people are our masters, he went on, and we are their servants, surely the masters have a right to criticise us and take us to task if we do not function properly; so we should not take offence when the people criticise us; our authority rests on public confidence, and not on the power of contempt.
The origin of the branch of law known as “scandalising the courtâ€? was as controversial as was its introduction into British India…..
If it is part of the law as is now understood that a person commits contempt even if he truthfully publishes as a fact that a particular judge (God forbid and only hypothetically speaking) has accepted a bribe for giving a judgment in a party’s favour — then I would submit that such a law would be void as imposing unreasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression ………..
SC wants govt to keep costs in mind while making new laws
For the first time in the judicial history, the Supreme Court on Tuesday suggested that the centre should assess the burden that would be cast on the pendency- ridden courts while enacting a new law and make a financial provision for additional judges and infrastructure to deal with cases arising from the it.
Noticing that one of the major reasons for the delay in civil disputes was frivolous litigation, Justice Sabharwal, writing for the bench, said the courts should impose heavy costs on those who indulge in such litigations wasting the precious time of the courts.
Delhi Judicial Service Result announced
21 vacancies were advertised in Delhi Judicial (13 – General, 8 – SC/ST) but in the Main Exam, 11 have been selected (10 – general, 1- SC/ST)… Result was declared on last Friday.
Though, there have been various vacancies lying vacant but still appointment in Judiciary are not made until a candidate is found perfect for the job. For the same reason… in Haryana last time, only one vacancy was filled… though around 10 were advertised.
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