Bengaluru: Supreme Court judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna has issued a stern call for the removal of judges who fail to maintain financial propriety. Speaking at the 22nd Biennial State Level Conference of Judicial Officers in Bengaluru, Karnataka, she stated that those unable to live within their known sources of income and who fall prey to greed or inducement should be expelled from the judicial system.
According to reports from Bar and Bench, Justice Nagarathna emphasized that maintaining judicial integrity is non-negotiable. She warned that judges must cultivate courage and independence, ensuring their rulings remain untainted by external factors. She noted that any compromised judgment is a stain on both the individual judge and the entire institution.
Addressing the assembly, Justice Nagarathna stressed that there can be no “coordination” or compromise in decision-making. She urged judicial officers to remain committed to constitutional values, the rule of law, and the principles of equality and fairness. During her address, she also lauded the district judiciary of Karnataka, describing it as one of the finest in the country.
The session also covered the necessity of institutional measures to protect the interests of women within the judiciary. Justice Nagarathna called for enhanced security, dignity, and a favorable working environment for female judges. She highlighted that this requires not only improved physical infrastructure but also protection against bias and harassment.
Concluding her speech, she addressed the role of technology in the courtroom. She maintained that Artificial Intelligence must remain a peripheral tool, asserting that the future of justice cannot be determined by algorithms. She emphasized that while AI may support judicial processes, final decisions must always be guided by human judges committed to constitutional mandates.
