NEW DELHI: Expressing serious concern over the functioning of tribunals, Supreme Court on Monday said little accountability was fastened on chairpersons and members of such bodies as they continued even when they were not good enough to write judgments or decide cases expeditiously.”They cannot be put under the control of the govt. They are not under judicial control. So, whom are they accountable to? There are administrative members who do not write a single judgment. This is very concerning,” a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said while deliberating on petitions challenging various provisions of Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021.Attorney general R Venkataramani said the govt was in the process of finalising certain amendments to the 2021 law, which was challenged by various bar associations on grounds that these breached the SC judgment prescribing five-year tenure and other service conditions, including allowing administrative members to head tribunals.The AG said the changes would be formalised in six months and till then, those working in tribunals would not have to demit office even after completion of their four-year tenure. There would thus be no problem of vacancies disrupting the working of the tribunals, he added.Addressing senior advocate Sanjay Jain’s concerns, the CJI said, “Immediate concern is, what should be the mechanism to make the members accountable? The law can be tested later. What should be done to ensure that administrative members contribute to the adjudicatory process. If they are incapable, they have no right to continue.”Allowing the govt to formalise the changes it is contemplating in the working of tribunals, the bench asked the petitioner bar associations to submit suggestions for fastening accountability on tribunal members. The bench agreed with Venkataramani, who said the case could be heard again in May by which time the govt would have made substantial progress in formulating the changes.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’One Phone Call From PM Modi Can End This Issue’: UAE Envoy On Iran-Israel-US WarIndia’s Top Military Commander Says AI Will Decide Future Wars, Admit India Is Taking Baby StepsIran Defies Trump, Chooses Khamenei’s Son As Supreme Leader; U.S Bombs Iran School, Shows New VideoIs India’s Internet Connectivity At Risk With War Threatening Undersea Cables At Strait Of Hormuz?Crude Oil Rally Near 120 Dollars, Raises Big Question If India Can Survive Crisis With Russian OilUS-Iran War Triggers Massive Selloff On Dalal Street, Investors Lose Rs 12 Lakh Crore In Single DayBengal’s Tribal and SC/ST Votes In Spotlight as BJP Ramps Up Outreach Amid President Protocol RowJaishankar Statement On Iran War Sparks Walkout As Opposition Demands Full Debate, BJP Hits BackLok Sabha Arithmetic Takes Center Stage As Opposition Moves No-Confidence Motion On Speaker Om Birla”Never Seen Such Irresponsible Oppn…” Rijiju Hits Out At Oppn Over Uproar In Parliament123PhotostoriesGaurav Khanna opens up about his possible return to Anupamaa and addresses questions about his Bigg Boss 19 prize money and car; says, “I’m yet to receive them”How to classic Paneer Kofta Curry for lunch at homeFrom blood diamonds to lab-grown gold: Is the jewellery industry finally evolving?8 traditional ways to enjoy Parwal or Pointed Gourd during summer seasonIndian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah house in Ahmedabad: Spacious living, elegant interiors, serene bedroom and modern gymFrom Sanjana Ganesan to Mahieka Sharma: Meet the wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of 2026 T20 World Cup-winning cricketersFrequent calf cramps while walking: Doctors explain when it may signal circulation problems, not dehydrationSingapore’s costliest real estate streets for wealthy buyers and investors in 2026A bridge for giants: Elephants use Bengaluru’s first wildlife overpassInside Jasprit Bumrah’s Car Collection: 5 luxury cars he owns123Hot PicksIran war newsStock Market todayMojtaba KhameneiPakistan Oil Price TodayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingHardik PandyaUS Stock Market todayUS Strike on Iran OilBengal assembly electionsBalendra ShahPakistan Fuel shortageRestaurants IT RaidDelhi Uttam Nagar murderGold Price TodayLPG cooking gas
NEW DELHI: Expressing serious concern over the functioning of tribunals, Supreme Court on Monday said little accountability was fastened on chairpersons and members of such bodies as they continued even when they were not good enough to write judgments or decide cases expeditiously.“They cannot be put under the control of the govt. They are not under judicial control. So, whom are they accountable to? There are administrative members who do not write a single judgment. This is very concerning,” a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said while deliberating on petitions challenging various provisions of Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021.Attorney general R Venkataramani said the govt was in the process of finalising certain amendments to the 2021 law, which was challenged by various bar associations on grounds that these breached the SC judgment prescribing five-year tenure and other service conditions, including allowing administrative members to head tribunals.The AG said the changes would be formalised in six months and till then, those working in tribunals would not have to demit office even after completion of their four-year tenure. There would thus be no problem of vacancies disrupting the working of the tribunals, he added.Addressing senior advocate Sanjay Jain’s concerns, the CJI said, “Immediate concern is, what should be the mechanism to make the members accountable? The law can be tested later. What should be done to ensure that administrative members contribute to the adjudicatory process. If they are incapable, they have no right to continue.”Allowing the govt to formalise the changes it is contemplating in the working of tribunals, the bench asked the petitioner bar associations to submit suggestions for fastening accountability on tribunal members. The bench agreed with Venkataramani, who said the case could be heard again in May by which time the govt would have made substantial progress in formulating the changes.
