Former Justice AS Oka attributes judicial hero worship to excessive concentration of administrative power in the CJI, advocating for diffusion of authority and institutional reforms.
Former Supreme Court Justice Abhay S Oka has criticized the 'hero worship' culture surrounding the Chief Justice of India (CJI), attributing it to disproportionate administrative control vested in the office. Speaking at a CJAR seminar on judicial accountability, Justice Oka highlighted how the CJI’s sole authority over roster management, case allocation, and judicial appointments fosters centralized power and institutional imbalance.
He emphasized that administrative decisions in the Supreme Court are largely unilateral, with little to no institutional check. This concentration, he warned, not only invites personality cults but also discourages collective responsibility among judges.
"Look at the Supreme Court... most of the administrative decisions are taken by only the Chief Justice of India."
Justice Oka’s comments align with growing scholarly and judicial calls for systemic reform, including a collegial administrative model and formalized protocols. The observations reinforce public concern over the lack of transparency in judicial governance and the need for statutory oversight mechanisms.
