Holding judges accountable strengthens democracy |
A recent Indian Express editorial (‘DMK move to impeach HC judge is disquieting’, December 13) suggests that the DMK’s move to impeach Madras High Court Justice G R Swaminathan amounts to the party shooting itself in the foot. I disagree. The move, far from undermining judicial independence, strongly asserts the role of parliamentary oversight of the judiciary. Checks and balances are vital in any democracy. Impeachment is a constitutional safeguard against judicial misconduct. While it is the judiciary’s job to keep the executive and legislature in check, it is also the legislature’s job to keep the judiciary and executive in check. This delicate balance ensures no one has unbridled power.
Under Articles 124(4) and 217 of the Constitution, any Justice found to have had proven........