New Delhi – In a big update from Parliament, the government has shared that the office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) got 8,630 complaints against sitting judges over the last 10 years. This information came out in the Lok Sabha on February 13, 2026, when Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal answered a question. The complaints are about judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts. They cover things like corruption, bad behavior, or other serious issues. The data shows how many people have raised concerns about judges from 2016 to 2025.
This news has made many people think about how the judiciary works in India. The judiciary is one of the main parts of our government, along with the Parliament and the executive. Judges are supposed to be fair and honest. But when complaints come in such large numbers, it raises questions about trust in the system. The minister said these complaints are dealt with inside the judiciary itself, without the government getting involved. This is to keep the judiciary independent.
The question in Lok Sabha was asked by DMK MP Matheswaran VS. He wanted to know about complaints on corruption, sexual misconduct, or other big problems against judges. The answer shows a rise in complaints over the years, with the highest in 2024 and 2025. Many experts say this could be because people are more aware now and speak up more. But it also points to possible issues in how judges are checked.
In India, the Constitution says judges should be independent. But there must be ways to check if they do wrong. The data shared is just numbers; it does not say what happened to these complaints. Did any judges face action? How many were found true? These questions remain. This article looks at the details, what the numbers mean, and how the system works. We will also answer common questions in a FAQ section.
The rise in complaints started after 2019. In 2020, when COVID-19 hit, the number went down to 518. But then it picked up again. In 2024, there were 1,170 complaints, the most in the 10 years. This was during the time of former CJI DY Chandrachud and CJI Sanjiv Khanna. The next year, 2025, had 1,102. Some say more complaints come when big cases are in the news, and people watch judges closely.
This is not the first time such data has come out. In past years, similar questions were asked in Parliament. But this latest number shows the problem is growing. The government says the judiciary handles it through its own rules. But groups that watch the judiciary say there should be more openness.
The Data Revealed in Lok Sabha
On February 13, 2026, in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal gave a written answer. He said the CJI’s office got 8,630 complaints from 2016 to 2025. These are against sitting judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. The minister shared a table with year-wise numbers. This was in reply to DMK MP Matheswaran VS, who asked for details on complaints about corruption, sexual misconduct, or other serious wrongs.
The minister explained that the Supreme Court has its own way to deal with these. It’s called the “in-house procedure.” This was set up in 1997 by the Supreme Court itself. The government does not get involved because the judiciary is independent. But the data comes from the Supreme Court.
Some reports say the number is 8,360, but adding the years gives 8,630. It seems like a small mistake in some news. The correct total is 8,630. This shows people are filing more complaints now. Maybe because of social media and news, people know more about their rights.
The Lok Sabha is where such questions help the public know facts. This data makes it clear that complaints are common. But what happens next is key. The minister did not say how many led to action. This leaves room for more questions.
Year-Wise Breakdown of Complaints
Let’s look at the numbers year by year. In 2016, there were 729 complaints. In 2017, it was 682. Then 717 in 2018, and a jump to 1,037 in 2019. The year 2020 had the least, 518, maybe because courts were closed due to COVID. In 2021, it rose to 686.
From 2022, the numbers went up more. 1,012 in 2022, 977 in 2023, then the highest 1,170 in 2024, and 1,102 in 2025. This shows a trend of more complaints in recent years.
Why the rise? Some say after big judgments, like in elections or rights cases, people complain if they disagree. Also, more women speak up about misconduct. In 2024, during CJI Chandrachud’s time, many reforms happened, but complaints also peaked.
This breakdown helps see patterns. Low in pandemic years, high later. It totals 8,630 over 10 years, about 863 per year on average.
How Complaints Against Judges Are Handled
In India, judges are not like normal government workers. They have protection under the Constitution. To remove a judge, Parliament must pass a motion with big majority. But for complaints, there is an inside system.
The Supreme Court made the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life” in 1997. It sets rules for judges to follow. Also, the “in-house procedure” says the CJI gets complaints against Supreme Court judges and High Court chiefs. High Court chiefs get complaints against their judges.
If a complaint looks serious, the CJI can set up a committee of judges to check. If found true, it can lead to advice, transfer, or even impeachment. But most complaints are dropped if not proven.
The government stays out. As per Article 124 of the Constitution, judges are removed only for proven misbehavior or incapacity. Only four judges have faced impeachment moves, none removed.
This system keeps judiciary free from politics. But critics say it’s not open. People don’t know what happens to complaints.
Implications for Judicial Accountability
This data shows need for better checks on judges. Chief Justice BR Gavai said in 2025, “Instances of corruption and misconduct in the judiciary have a negative impact on public confidence, potentially eroding faith in the integrity of the system as a whole.”
If people don’t trust judges, the whole law system suffers. In India, courts have millions of pending cases. Vacant judge posts add to problems. Complaints can slow things more.
Groups like Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms say there should be a law for judge complaints. In the past, the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill was tried but not passed.
Recent cases, like impeachment moves against judges in 2025, show tensions. CJI Surya Kant noted in 2025 about judges passing bad orders before retiring, calling it “hitting sixes.”
This data can push for changes. Maybe more training for judges or public reports on complaints.
Expert Views and Statements
Many have spoken on this. Justice BR Gavai said, “Such occurrences inevitably have a negative impact on public confidence.”
A former judge said in a statement, “Public officials who take the law in their own hands must be fastened with accountability.”
The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms has criticized some CJI remarks, saying they hurt rights.
Law Minister Meghwal said in Lok Sabha, the complaints are handled by judiciary’s own rules.
Experts say openness is key. A lawyer told a news site, “We need better ways to check judges without hurting their freedom.”
Challenges in Judicial Discipline
One big challenge is proving complaints. Many are false or from angry losers in cases. Checking takes time.
Also, judges fear complaints can be used to scare them. In 2025, 56 former judges said an impeachment move was to “browbeat” the judiciary.
Pending cases: Over 5 crore cases wait in courts. This makes people unhappy, leading to more complaints.
Women judges face extra issues. Some complaints are about bias.
To fix, maybe a new body for complaints, with outsiders.
History: In 2010, a bill for judge accountability lapsed. Now, with this data, maybe time for new talks.
The Constitution under Article 124 allows Parliament to make laws for this. But so far, inside system is used.
Recent example: In 2025, a judge faced probe after money found in fire. It shows system works sometimes.
But for 8,630 complaints, how many actions? No data. This is a gap.
Public trust is must. As CJI Gavai said, corruption hurts faith.
This Lok Sabha reveal can start better checks.
FAQs
What is the total number of complaints against sitting judges in the last 10 years?
The CJI’s office received 8,630 complaints from 2016 to 2025 against Supreme Court and High Court judges. This includes claims of corruption, misconduct, and other issues.
When and how was this data shared?
It was shared in Lok Sabha on February 13, 2026, by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to DMK MP Matheswaran VS. The data came from the Supreme Court.
What is the year-wise breakdown?
2016: 729, 2017: 682, 2018: 717, 2019: 1,037, 2020: 518, 2021: 686, 2022: 1,012, 2023: 977, 2024: 1,170, 2025: 1,102. Highest in 2024.
How are these complaints handled?
Through the judiciary’s in-house procedure from 1997. CJI or High Court chiefs check them. Serious ones get committee probe. No government role.
What does this mean for judicial accountability?
It shows need for better checks. Experts say more openness is needed to keep public trust. Corruption hurts faith, as per CJI Gavai.
Have any judges been removed based on complaints?
No Supreme Court judge removed. Some High Court judges faced action, but rare. Impeachment needs Parliament vote.
Why the rise in complaints?
More awareness, social media, big cases in news. Dip in 2020 due to COVID.