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Journalism of Courage
Former Chief Justice of India J S Verma on Friday expressed his resentment over the proposed law for accountability of higher judiciary,saying he felt demeaned and insulted.
I am demeaned and insulted that a law is needed to regulate our (judiciarys) action, Justice Verma said,referring to the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill. He said self-regulation is the only reform needed to regulate the functioning of the judiciary.
Preservation of values is the only reform needed and warned the judiciary that if self-regulation is not done by you (judiciary),it will be done by someone else (for you), Justice Verma,who was speaking at a convention on Rule of Law here,said.
Referring to the Bill,which has been passed by the Lok Sabha and is awaiting the nod of the Rajya Sabha,the former CJI said the Constitution makers had never thought of setting up a law to regulate the working of the High Courts and the Supreme Court.
The public should come to us (courts),not because we are less tainted than the others (legislature or executive),but because we are the best, he said. It is the only way to ensure that the purpose for which the judiciary was set up is met.
The Bill seeks to lay judicial standards,provide for accountability of judges,and establish mechanisms for investigating individual complaints.
