A case against a High Court judge revives debate on judicial accountability

A case involving a sitting High Court judge has renewed debate on the mechanisms available to hold judges accountable without compromising judicial independence.

The Constitution provides that a High Court or Supreme Court judge can be removed only through impeachment by Parliament on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity, a process requiring a special majority in both Houses.

In practice, an in-house inquiry by fellow judges is often used first to assess such matters, though such committees can only recommend action, not remove a judge themselves.