We have to speak out against rampant corruption in the judiciary: Prashant Bhushan

- Even if the Supreme Court punishes me, I will speak the truth

New Delhi 17th August 2020 Monday

Senior legislator Prashant Bhushan said that the voice has to be raised for the rampant corruption in the judiciary. Even if the Supreme Court sentences me to contempt of court. I will speak if it is true.

Bhushan told the court that there was no effective system in place to curb corruption in the judiciary. The process of impeachment of a judge is also very complicated and full of political controversy. That is why one has to speak out against the rampant corruption in the judiciary.

Prashant Bhushan had given a written reply in court citing an incident in 1995. In 1995, in the case of C Ravichandran Iyer and Justice A M Bhattacharjee, the Supreme Court itself indicated that members of the bar as well as others should raise their voices against the judges. It is now clear that the process of curbing corruption in the judiciary is by no means effective or sufficient. The process of impeachment against a judge is also very complex and fraught with political factors. That is why there is no system in place to curb corruption in the judiciary at present.

He said that only lawyers who are constantly working for the law can tackle the corruption in the judiciary. Only lawyers can raise a voice. The freedom to speak out in the public interest provided for in Article 19 (1) of the Constitution diminishes the opportunity to speak out against the corruption of the judiciary. The provision of raising voice against corruption of the judiciary should be added to the provision of these fundamental rights of the Constitution.

For the past few years, Prashant Bhushan has been writing his views on social media on various Supreme Court judgments and the conduct of judges. The Supreme Court warned him more than once. Many judges did not like Prashant Bhushan's tack in 2009. He also recently criticized Chief Justice SA Bobade.