Judicial Ethics in Question: Impact of Judges Entering Political Arena

Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai highlights the challenges to judicial credibility when judges resign to contest elections. Addressing ethical concerns, he emphasizes judicial integrity as crucial for public trust. He also warns that judicial overreach into politics could spur vigilantism, while inefficient legal processes erode confidence in the system.

Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai has raised concerns over judges resigning from office to enter politics, suggesting this transition may tarnish public perception of judicial impartiality. He views judicial ethics and integrity as crucial pillars upholding legal system credibility.

Addressing a judicial officers' conference in Gujarat, Justice Gavai pointed to instances such as a US Supreme Court judge apologizing for political comments as evidence that mixing judiciary with politics creates a trust deficit. He fears this could lead to informal justice systems like vigilantism and mob justice.

The Justice also criticized prolonged litigation and slow legal processes, which undermine trust and result in perceptions of inefficiency. Stressing the need for judicial independence, he advocated for video conferencing to increase transparency yet cautioned against misuse of court proceedings clips.

(With inputs from agencies.)