New Delhi: The office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) has received 8,630 complaints against sitting judges over the past decade, the Ministry of Law and Justice informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The data was shared in a written reply by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in response to a question raised by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Matheswaran VS.
Year-wise figures indicate fluctuations, with a noticeable rise in recent years. In 2016, 729 complaints were received, followed by 682 in 2017 and 717 in 2018. The number increased sharply to 1,037 in 2019 before dropping to 518 in 2020 during the pandemic year. Complaints stood at 686 in 2021, rose to 1,012 in 2022, and were recorded at 977 in 2023.
The highest number of complaints was reported in 2024 at 1,170, followed by 1,102 in 2025. The ministry noted that the peak in 2024 occurred during the tenure of former CJIs DY Chandrachud and Sanjiv Khanna.
Responding to queries on whether a structured database exists for allegations such as corruption or sexual misconduct, Meghwal said accountability in the higher judiciary is maintained through an “in-house mechanism.” He emphasised that the independence of the judiciary is enshrined in the Constitution and that the executive has a limited role in such matters.
The minister referred to two resolutions adopted by the Supreme Court of India in a full court meeting held on May 7, 1997. The first resolution relates to the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life,” laying down standards and principles for judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. The second pertains to the in-house procedure for taking remedial measures against judges who do not adhere to these values.
As per the reply, the CJI is competent to receive complaints against Supreme Court judges and Chief Justices of High Courts, while complaints against High Court judges are handled by the respective Chief Justices.
Complaints received through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) or other channels are forwarded to the CJI or the concerned High Court Chief Justice. The CPGRAMS portal operates round the clock and enables citizens to register grievances related to public service delivery.
The ministry also recalled that the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, introduced in an earlier Lok Sabha to enhance transparency and accountability in the judiciary, lapsed following the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.
In January this year, the Supreme Court issued directions outlining how High Courts should deal with complaints concerning members of the district judiciary.
