The Lok Sabha on Wednesday discussed the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010. It seeks to create a mechanism to increase the accountability of the Supreme Court and High Court Judges. It is meant to pave the way for enquiry into complaints against individual judges and recommend appropriate action in each case.

Moved by Law Minister Salman Khurshid, the bill aims to strengthen the independence of the judiciary. He said, the bill provides for the setting up of a National Judiciary Oversight Committee to monitor the behaviour of the judges.

The Minister also introduced a Constitution Amendment bill to raise the retirement age of the High Court Judges from 62 to 65 years. The legislation addresses the growing public concern for judicial probity by making it mandatory for the judges and their spouses and children to declare their assets. The proposed National Oversight Committee would ensure that the enquiry against any judge is completed within a time frame so as to increase public confidence in the judiciary.

The BJP wanted the proposed National Judicial Oversight Committee to be set up without any delay but sought changes into some of the provisions of the bill. The party felt that the inclusion of non-judicial members in the committee may impinge on the judges’ independence.

Supporting the bill, a Congress member viewed that the legislation will improve judicial standards. The Samajwadi Party and the Trinamool Congress supported the bill. Other members gave their suggestions to prune it to suit the contemporary needs.

The Lok sabha will continue the discussion on the bill on Thursday.