CODE OF CONDUCT

A recent case of a judge allegedly helping an accused in a scam has led to a debate on whether an internal model code of conduct is needed. The process to handle such allegations should also be revisited

- Sanjay Raman Sinha

THE recent statement of the Enforcement Directorate in the Supreme Court implicating a Chhattisgarh High Court judge in helping an accused in the multi-crore public distribution scam is a shocker. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Court that WhatsApp chats revealed connivance between accused IAS officers and those holding constitutional posts.

The connotations are grave and have rekindled the spectre of judges' impeachment for misdemeanour. In India, this is not the first time aspersions have been cast on a judge. While no judge has faced impeachment, many have had charges of corruption or sexual harassment levelled against them.

In the US too after the unpopular judicial decision to overturn Roe us Wade verdict (that guaranteed abortion rights across the US), protestors demanded that the federal government take action against those judges whom they claimed had not been honest with the American people.

The law demands judicial accountability. This is necessary to maintain public trust in the judiciary and for ensuring judicial integrity. As the saying goes, Caeser's wife should be above suspicion.