Judicial Reforms In India

“Trial by media” is not a rarity in our society.

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Given the fact that scandal sells where page views or television clicks are concerned, there are “scandals” that ultimately end up as figments of imagination. Or worse, as having been motivated by the intent of some to deliberately besmirch the reputation of an individual who may be innocent. No matter. News of the scandal involving an individual appears on Page 1 not just once but several times, and any future denial or retraction gets buried in a small item on Page 18. There has been much speculation about the actual facts behind the reported discovery by firemen of a cash hoard in a judge’s house.

A story involving an individual of such high consequence as a High Court judge is so tantalising to the public taste that it may not be long when other media outlets follow the example of a very prominent broadsheet on March 21 and carry similar stories. An individual is innocent unless proven guilty, including a High Court judge, yet in the rush for ad-generating traffic, such courtesies may be ignored.

Whatever be the facts concerning the High Court justice in question, what cannot any longer be ignored is the need for judicial reform. In a democracy, public confidence in the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive is essential for a democracy to remain in good health. Given such a context, it would be in the public interest were the Supreme Court of India and the Law Ministry to work seamlessly together in order to ensure such reforms. For without such reforms, scandal mongering would continue to dominate the headlines.