India's National Judicial Oversight Committee Proposes Major In-house Inquiry Reforms
The National Judicial Oversight Committee in India has proposed significant improvements to the in-house inquiry process. These recommendations come amidst ongoing controversies, including the case of Justice Yashwant Varma, who was found guilty of 'misconduct' in May 2025. The process, created following the Supreme Court's 1995 judgement in Ravichandran Iyer v Justice A.M.Bhattacharjee, has faced criticisms for its opacity and lack of statutory backing.
The inquiry process has seen mixed outcomes, with resignations, acquittals, and no actions taken in the past 11 cases. Justice Varma's case began in March 2025 when large amounts of burnt and partially burnt cash were found at his official residence. He was transferred to the Allahabad High Court and assigned no judicial work pending an inquiry. An impeachment motion was admitted against him in July 2025. The Supreme Court dismissed his petition challenging the in-house inquiry process in August 2025.
The recommended improvements aim to enhance transparency and address criminal liability. They include creating a National Judicial Oversight Committee, implementing a new accountability ecosystem with randomized benches, merit-based peer nominations, fixed terms, a tiered system of punishments, and establishing a Citizen Oversight Authority. The committee also proposed introducing time-bound justice with strict statutory deadlines.
The proposed reforms, if implemented, could significantly improve the in-house inquiry process. They aim to ensure impartiality, strengthen accountability, and provide effective consequences for judicial misconduct. The recommendations come at a crucial time, as the process faces scrutiny following high-profile cases like Justice Varma's.
