Supreme Court publishes data regarding administrativedisciplinary action against judicial officers

Supreme Court of India’s website has published data with regard to administrative/disciplinary action taken against judicial officers from the period April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. This data has come at a time when a mass movement is in place against corruption..Supreme Court of India’s website has published data with regard to administrative/disciplinary action taken against judicial officers from the period April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. This data has come at a time when a mass movement is in place against corruption..The total number of departmental enquiries pending during this period in all the states was 305. Some major figures are; in Uttar Pradesh there was enquiry against 44 officers, Rajasthan 42, Madhya Pradesh 33 and Maharashtra & Goa 31. In Andhra Pradesh the number comes to 15, 6 in West Bengal and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, 8 in Chattisgarh, 22 in Gujarat, 3 in the North Eastern States, 2 in Himachal Pradesh, 23 in Jammu and Kashmir, 5 in Jharkand, 14 in Karnataka, 10 in Kerala, 19 in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, 9 in Orissa, 6 in Bihar, 9 in Punjab & Haryana and 4 in Uttarkhand..There were no enquiries in the State of Sikkim, Union Territory of Lakshadweep and National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi..Total number of Judicial Officers discharged/discontinued from service during or at the end of the period of probation is 17 (DJ Cadre – 4, CJSD Cadre – 1, CJJD Cadre – 12). The highest was in Maharashtra and Karnataka; each discontinuing 6 officers. It is interesting to note that though enquiries were made against 44 officers in Uttar Pradesh, none of them were discontinued from service but 9 officers were charged with penalties. Though no enquiries were initiated in NCT of Delhi; one officer was discontinued from service. One officer each was dismissed in the States of Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab & Haryana and Uttarkhand..No officer was discontinued in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, North Eastern States, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jhrakhand, Union Territory of Lakshadweep, Tamilnadu, Orrisa, Bihar, Rajasthan and Sikkim..Total number of Judicial Officers against whom major penalties were imposed are 38 (DJ Cadre – 15 , CJSD Cadre – 11, CJJD Cadre – 12). Total number of Judicial Officers against whom minor penalties were imposed are 35 (DJ Cadre – 12, CJSD Cadre – 6, CJJD Cadre – 17)..Publishing of data is a good sign of transparency. Let’s hope more transparency will be brought into the affairs of higher judiciary also.