New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha made a strong pitch for judicial reforms in the Rajya Sabha, calling for increased transparency in the collegium system and a cooling-off period for retired judges before they take post-retirement appointments.
#FLASH: MP Raghav Chadha demands judicial reforms:
โช๏ธ Calls for reforms like electoral & police reforms
โช๏ธ Says collegium must reform & be transparent
โช๏ธ Questions post-retirement jobs for judges
โช๏ธ Proposes a 2-year cooling-off period#JudicialReforms #RaghavChadha #RajyaSabhaโฆ pic.twitter.com/0YKgh0RaOvโ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) April 1, 2025
Chadha emphasized that just like electoral, police, education, and healthcare reforms, similar efforts are necessary for the judiciary to strengthen judicial independence and eliminate corruption.
โJust as this country has seen electoral reforms, police reforms, education and healthcare reforms, judicial reforms are also necessary. We need reforms that strengthen judicial independence and eliminate judicial corruption,โ he said in Parliament.
Calls for Collegium Reform
Raising concerns about the judicial appointment process, Chadha pointed out long-standing criticisms of the collegium system, including a lack of transparency and public scrutiny. He referred to past Law Commission reports and statements by legal experts, which have repeatedly highlighted flaws in the system.
โThe shortcomings of the collegium system have been repeatedly highlighted in Law Commission reports and by legal luminaries. Perhaps this is why the need for a law like the NJAC (National Judicial Appointments Commission) arose. But now, the time has come for the collegium to reform itself,โ Chadha stated.
He suggested that the collegium system adopt a transparent, point-based, and merit-based selection process, similar to the Supreme Courtโs revised method of appointing senior advocates.
โPreviously, the designation of senior advocates was an opaque process. But now, the Supreme Court has introduced a transparent, point-based system where candidates are assessed based on their number of years of practice, pro bono work, and reported judgments. If the collegium system adopts a similar point-based, merit-driven process, it will enhance public trust in judicial appointments,โ Chadha argued.
Questions on Post-Retirement Jobs for Judges
In addition to judicial appointments, Chadha raised concerns about the practice of offering post-retirement jobs to judges, warning that it could compromise judicial independence.
โThere is a tradition of offering post-retirement positions to judges. This raises questions about judicial independence. We need to address this issue to maintain public trust in the judiciary,โ he said.
To prevent potential conflicts of interest, Chadha proposed a mandatory two-year cooling-off period before retired judges can accept government-appointed positions.
โA minimum two-year cooling-off period should be mandatory before retired judges take up post-retirement jobs. This will ensure that judicial decisions remain free from external influence,โ he suggested.
Demand for Government Action
Chadha urged the central government to take concrete steps to reform the judicial appointment system and regulate post-retirement roles for judges. He argued that such reforms would restore faith in the judiciary and reinforce its independence.
His speech in the Rajya Sabha adds to the ongoing national debate on judicial accountability, transparency, and the need for reforms to enhance the credibility of Indiaโs judicial system.
