Society Expects Every HC Judge To Be An Epitome of Unimpeachable Integrity, Champion Of Moral Excellence & Professionalism : Supreme Court

In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court emphasised the need for the Judges of the High Courts to uphold integrity and probity while discharging judicial functions.

The Court made these pertinent observations while recording strong disapproval of the conduct of a Gujarat High Court Judge in releasing the reasoned judgment a year after the operative portion was dictated in the Court.

While stressing that High Court judges should endeavour to release the reasons for the judgment within 2-5 days after pronouncing the operative order, the bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Prashant Kumar Mishra referred to certain recent aberrations on the part of High Court judges which brought disrepute to the judiciary.

A veiled reference was made to the recent suo motu case taken over the remarks of the Karnataka High Court judge.

Reference was also made to the recent Supreme Court's order which struck down a judgment which was signed by the High Court judge after retirement.

"These are distressing trends indeed," the Court stated.

The judgment reminded that in today's world, there is increasing coverage of Court proceedings in social media, and hence, the judges have to be more circumspect.

"It cannot be gainsaid that in today's world, particularly when more and more people are showing interest in court proceedings and there is wide coverage thereof on social media platforms, the presiding officers of courts are equally at the centre of attention as the controversy that is involved and the manner of its resolution."

The judgment authored by Justice Datta further stated :

"The society expects every Judge of a high court, so to say, to be a model of rectitude, an epitome of unimpeachable integrity and unwavering principles, a champion of moral excellence, and an embodiment of professionalism, who can consistently deliver work of high-quality guaranteeing justice. Although, on the whole, the weight of work on learned Judges of the high courts across the country is immense and the Judges have also been performing commendably despite various odds, instances such as the one under consideration, which we view as nothing more than an aberration, bring disrepute to the judicial system of the country and show the entire judiciary in poor light. This, in our opinion, could have well been avoided with a little bit of care and caution, and deference to the decisions on the point by this Court."

Also from the judgment - If Judges Pronounce Only Operative Part, Then Reasons For Decision Should Be Given In 2-5 Days : Supreme Court

Avoid Dictating Lengthy Judgments In Court; Pronounce Only Operative Part If Dictation Likely To Exceed 20/25 Minutes: Supreme Court To HC Judges

Case : Ratilal Jhaverbhai Parmar & Ors. v. State Of Gujarat & Ors.