'Constitute National Judicial Commission'

Delivering Blasius D’Souza memorial lecture on ‘judicial accountability and public administration’ here on Wednesday, he said a system should come whereby judges are appointed after public scrutiny. Transparency should be maintained in the appointment of judges and delivering judgments on the cases. In US, judges are appointed through public scrutiny. Why should judges feel shy to declare their assets before the public? he asked.

“Life and liberty of the people in the country are in the hands of these judges. We are entitled to know their character, life. If needed, amendment must be made to the Constitution with regard to the appointment of judges and their misconduct. We have every right to speak about the misconduct of a judge.”

He called upon the media not to be scared of writing of judge’s misconduct or wrong delivery of justice.  A situation has arisen which demands the accountability of the judiciary as people no longer have confidence in judiciary system, he added.

Nanaiah said “According to Constitution, Judges of Supreme Court and High Court are accountable to none. It is true that judiciary must be independent and remain uninterfered. However, the confidence of the people in judiciary is being eroded as they are not accountable.”

He said “Justice Venkatachalaiah, former Chief Justice of Supreme Court who headed National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution had suggested that the judges should be accountable. Unfortunately, the two volumes of his suggestions are lying idle.

The Law department did not even look at it. He called upon Union Minister for Law and Justice Veerappa Moily to implement the suggestions made by the Justice Venkatachalaiah.”

He said “more than 125 MPs have criminal background from murder to rape. Muscle and money power rule the roost. It is impossible for a honest individual to get elected as MP, MLA. Elections are fought with money power, muscle power.”

Stating that there is no governance, Nanaiah said “corruption has taken the place of governance. If the CM, Ministers are corrupt, then how could one control bureaucrats. More than 60 to 70 per cent of the politicians do not want to govern, they want to make money as they are not sure of their victory in the next election.

If bureaucrats become puppets in the hands of the politicians, then what governance is left?” he asked.  According to the Global International Transparency Organisation’s survey, Karnataka stands first in corruption in the country, he informed.

SDM Law College Principal B K Ravindra, SDM PG Centre for Management Studies and Research Director Dr Devaraj K, MLA Abhayachandra Jain, Ivan D’Souza were present on the occasion.