Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal criticized the 'master of the roster' system, Collegium backroom dealings, and lack of transparency in judicial disciplinary proceedings, warning of a growing crisis in public confidence in the judiciary.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal has launched a sharp critique of the administrative framework of the higher judiciary, highlighting systemic flaws that he says are eroding public trust. Speaking at an event organized by the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR), Sibal identified the concentration of power in the 'master of the roster' role as a key threat to institutional accountability.
Concerns Over Judicial Administration
Sibal pointed to opaque processes within the Collegium system, particularly in judicial appointments and case allocations, as fostering an environment of exclusivity and unchecked authority. He stressed that the absence of codified guidelines for roster management allows individual judges to dictate the flow of sensitive matters, undermining judicial neutrality.
Additionally, Sibal criticized the lack of transparency in in-house mechanisms for addressing allegations of judicial misconduct. Without formal procedures or public oversight, he argued, complaints against judges are effectively buried, weakening accountability.
"When power is unchecked and processes opaque, public confidence inevitably erodes,"
Sibal said, warning that reform is necessary to preserve judicial integrity.
Call for Institutional Transparency
The remarks echo longstanding demands for structural reforms, including statutory regulation of the Collegium, publication of meeting notes, and an independent judicial conduct watchdog. Sibal’s intervention adds legal weight to ongoing advocacy for a more transparent and democratic judicial system.
