Justice Vinod Diwakar of the Allahabad High Court observed that full court meetings are often stage-managed like political confidence motions, with only 16 such meetings held in the past decade, raising concerns about judicial independence.
Concerns raised over transparency in High Court administration
In a rare judicial comment on internal administrative practices, Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Vinod Diwakar has criticized the manner in which full court meetings are conducted, describing them as “stage-managed” akin to government whips securing majority support in legislative confidence votes. He pointed out that only 16 full court meetings have been held over the past ten years, indicating systemic irregularities in judicial governance.
Justice Diwakar highlighted the absence of recorded individual concurrences or dissents during these meetings, undermining collective decision-making and transparency.
"It was given an impression that last two full court meetings of this Court were stage-managed in the manner of a government 'whips' majority in a confidence vote,"he remarked, emphasizing the need for genuine deliberation on issues affecting judicial independence and administrative reform.
The observations underscore growing unease within the judiciary over institutional accountability. Full court meetings play a key role in shaping court policies, appointments, and administrative guidelines. The remarks may prompt calls for formalizing procedures and ensuring democratic participation among judges in internal judicial administration.