CJI rues the loud and motivated conduct in courtrooms

Gogoi says judiciary cannot afford to lose its decorum and stakeholders should quarantine “indecorous acts” inside court

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Thursday rued the “loud and motivated” conduct which has replaced graceful debates in courtrooms while Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad focused on the need to set up an in-house corrective mechanism to ensure propriety and accountability within the judiciary.

They were addressing a gathering assembled on the Supreme Court grounds as part of the 73rd Independence Day celebrations.

Key role

Mr. Prasad said the judiciary had over the years played a pivotal role in democracy. Great trust was laid on the judiciary as the watchdog of the Constitution.

Mr. Prasad said it was time to think about the prospects of introducing an All India Judicial Service.

Chief Justice Gogoi, in his speech, said the judiciary could not afford to lose its decorum and stakeholders should identify and quarantine “indecorous acts” inside courtrooms.

Court of Appeal

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal called for setting up one Court of Appeal in each of the four regions of the country to largely relieve the Supreme Court of the burden of appeals coming from the various High Courts.

Mr. Venugopal said there should be distinct judges constituting the court of appeal and the collegium system of the apex court should be the basis of their appointments too.

“There should be intermediate courts of appeal between the Supreme Court and High Courts of the country.... In each of the four regions [east, west, north and south] of this country, there should be distinct judges constituting the court of appeal. Let the judges be elevated from the High Courts,” Mr. Venugopal said.