Judicial Accountability vs. Judicial Independence Definition, Types, Examples & Uses

Judicial Accountability vs. Judicial Independence

Subject: Polity

Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

A core dilemma: accountability fosters trust, but excessive external checks may compromise autonomy. Mechanisms include in-house procedures for misconduct, impeachment for serious offenses, and public scrutiny via media. Yet, judges maintain absolute freedom in adjudication to uphold rule of law, free from political or personal influence. Proposed solutions like the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill or transparent collegium processes aim to reconcile the two. Critics see a lack of robust institutional oversight. Ultimately, sustaining public faith in the judiciary demands a balanced approach, ensuring judges are neither unrestrained nor subjected to undue governmental or public pressures.