Judicial Accountability Bill: Team Anna vs Govt

New Delhi: Already under pressure from Team Anna over the Lokpal Bill, the government now seems in for fresh trouble.

It has accepted some recommendations of the parliamentary standing committee on the Judicial Accountability Bill but has refused to concede to Team Anna's demand for including judicial corruption.

If the government has its way, comments from judges in courtrooms attacking government and constitutional authorities will have to be tempered. The judges won't be allowed to enter into a public debate or express their views in open courts. They also can't have close proximity to the Bar.

Further, probe against errant judges will be in camera. The government is also against the inclusion of MPs in the panel that will probe corruption allegation against judges.

Team Anna is not amused.

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"To stop judges from making comments on matters, or on authorities whose conduct is coming up before them for scrutiny, is an absurd provision. But apart from that, I feel it's a useless bill. It's not going to do anything. It also does not deal with criminal investigation of judges at all," said Prashant Bhushan, a member of Team Anna.

Taking Team Anna's concerns about judges judging judges, the standing committee had suggested that one MP from each House be included in the panel that will probe judicial corruption.

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But the government isn't willing to let this happen.

"We have to ensure the independence of the judiciary, we cannot interfere in their sphere and they cannot be brought under the Lokpal," said Union Law Minister Salman Khursheed.

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The government has also diluted penalty on frivolous complaints. From the earlier Rs 5 lakh fine and a 5-year jail term, the government is okay with a fine of Rs 1 lakh and three-month jail sentence.

The Law Ministry is moving a Cabinet note and hopes to get the bill passed in Winter Session of Parliament.

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But with Team Anna back to its earlier demand of bringing higher judiciary under Lokpal, the road ahead may not be smooth for the government.

Team Anna says it's a useless bill, the government thinks otherwise. Parliament will have a final say after of course the Cabinet giving its final approval.

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