The Advocates’ Association of Bengaluru (AAB) has called for a special general body meeting on March 24 to discuss escalating concerns regarding corruption within the Indian judiciary.

Recent Incidents Prompting Action

Two Notable Events:

Delhi High Court Incident: A fire at the residence of Delhi High Court Justice Yashwanth Verma led firefighters to reportedly discover a substantial sum of cash, raising questions about potential misconduct.

Karnataka Honey Trap Allegations: Allegations have surfaced in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly implicating certain judges in a honey trap scandal, further intensifying concerns about judicial integrity.

Proposed Resolutions for Judicial Accountability

During the meeting, the AAB plans to propose several measures aimed at enhancing judicial accountability:

Supreme Court Collegium Intervention: Urging the Supreme Court Collegium to take decisive action against judicial corruption and establish a clear mechanism for the removal of corrupt judges.

Mandatory Asset Declarations: Advocating for compulsory asset declarations by judges to promote transparency within the judiciary.

Swift Removal Procedures: Recommending the creation of an efficient system for the prompt removal of judges found guilty of corruption.

Application of Anti-Money Laundering Laws: Proposing the enforcement of anti-money laundering statutes in cases involving judicial corruption to deter financial misconduct.

Addressing ‘Part-Heard’ Case Concerns

The AAB will also address the increasing number of cases being marked as “part heard” in Regular Second Appeal (RSA) matters by a particular judge of the Karnataka High Court. The association intends to emphasize the need for the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court to direct judges to minimize unnecessary “part-heard” designations, ensuring smoother and more efficient case proceedings.