8,630 complaints against sitting judges in 10 years, highest in 2024: CJI office data tabled in Lok Sabha

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• Over 8,600 complaints filed against sitting judges in 10 years
• Complaints peaked at 1,170 in 2024, highest in the decade
• Complaints managed internally, no executive intervention

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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 figures were shared in a written response by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to a query raised by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Matheswaran VS.

The year-wise data points to fluctuations, with a broader upward movement in recent years. In 2016, 729 complaints were recorded, followed by 682 in 2017 and 717 in 2018.

The number rose sharply to 1,037 in 2019. During the pandemic year of 2020, complaints fell to 518. The tally stood at 686 in 2021, increased to 1,012 in 2022, and was 977 in 2023.

The highest number was reported in 2024 at 1,170 complaints, followed closely by 1,102 in 2025. The ministry said the peak in 2024 occurred during the tenure of former CJI Dr DY Chandrachud and former CJI Sanjiv Khanna.

How complaints are handled

Responding to questions on whether a structured database exists for allegations relating to corruption, sexual misconduct, or other serious impropriety, Meghwal said accountability in the higher judiciary is ensured through an “in-house mechanism”.

He underlined that the “independence of judiciary is enshrined in the Constitution of India” and noted that the executive’s role remains limited.

The Supreme Court, in a full court meeting held on 7 May 1997, adopted two resolutions.

The first, “The Restatement of Values of Judicial Life which lays down certain judicial standards and principles to be observed and followed by the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts”.

The second relates to the “in-house procedure for taking suitable remedial measures against judges who do not follow the universally accepted values of judicial life including those in the restatement of values of Judicial Life.”

According to the reply, the Chief Justice of India is “competent to receive complaints against Judges of the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of the High Courts”, while Chief Justices of High Courts deal with complaints against their respective judges.

Role of CPGRAMS and earlier attempts

Complaints received through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System or by other means are forwarded to the CJI or the concerned High Court Chief Justice.

The CPGRAMS portal operates round the clock and is linked to ministries, departments, and states, allowing citizens to lodge grievances related to service delivery.

In 2016, the government had informed Parliament that the “Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill” was introduced in the previous Lok Sabha to enhance transparency but lapsed following the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.

In January this year, the Supreme Court also issued directions on how High Courts should address complaints concerning members of the district judiciary.