'Not merely a post office’: SC backs CJI’s authority to act on judicial misconduct in Justice Varma case

Justice Datta, who was heading the bench, also pointed to Section 3(2) of the Act

The Supreme Court on Wednesday defended the Chief Justice of India’s authority to act on judicial misconduct.

According to the top court, the CJI is not merely a “post office" but holds constitutional responsibility towards the nation.

“Chief Justice of India is not just a post office. He has certain duties to the nation as the leader of the judiciary. If materials come to him regarding misconduct, CJI has the duty to forward them to the President and the Prime Minister," Justice Dipankar Datta said.

Justice Datta, who was heading the bench, also pointed to Section 3(2) of the Act. “Nothing in sub-section (1) shall debar or affect in any manner the power of the Central Government or the State Government or the Supreme Court of India or any High Court or any other authority under any law for the time being in force to take such action (whether by way of civil, criminal, or departmental proceedings or otherwise) against any person who is or was a Judge,” it said.