CJI Urges Non-Judicial Tribunal Members to Overcome Reluctance in Passing Orders Against Government
Chief Justice of India stresses need for uniform training, accountability, and independence among tribunal members to strengthen justice delivery.
New Delhi, Sep 20: Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai on Saturday expressed concern over certain non-judicial members of tribunals, often ex-bureaucrats, being averse to passing orders against the government. Speaking at the 10th All India Conference of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) 2025, he urged these members to reflect on their responsibilities to maintain impartiality.
Highlighting the unique position of administrative tribunals between the judiciary and the executive, the CJI said that while the diversity of members brings both judicial acumen and administrative experience, it also necessitates consistent training and uniform standards for eligibility and conduct. “Judicial members would benefit from exposure to public administration, while administrative members require training in legal reasoning,” he said.
CJI Gavai noted that some administrative members, coming from government service, tend to avoid decisions adverse to the government, which could compromise justice delivery. He emphasized that workshops, conferences, and training programs conducted by judicial academicians can significantly enhance tribunal effectiveness.
He further flagged issues of multiplicity of appeals, noting that bureaucrats often file appeals despite clear tribunal or high court rulings, passing responsibility to higher courts and prolonging litigation. “A central agency to filter whether appeals are warranted could reduce pendency and improve efficiency,” the CJI suggested.
CJI Gavai also stressed the need for uniform service conditions for tribunal members, saying reforms would attract experienced judicial officers and high court judges to serve in tribunals. He underlined the importance of harmonious functioning between judges and lawyers, referring to incidents where inexperienced judges have disrupted court decorum.
While lauding the role of CAT and state tribunals in easing the judiciary’s burden, the CJI urged all tribunal members to uphold impartiality and integrity, ensuring justice for citizens remains untainted. Attorney General R. Venkatramani also highlighted tribunals’ contribution to reducing litigation pendency.
