Justice BV Nagarathna of the Supreme Court of India delivered a strong address on Saturday regarding judicial integrity, asserting that judges who succumb to "greed and temptation" have no place in the legal system. Speaking at a legal event, she noted that since the recommendations of the 2nd National Judicial Pay Commission have been accepted, providing adequate salaries for the district judiciary, there is no excuse for financial impropriety. She emphasized that officers who cannot live within their known sources of income must be "weeded out" to maintain public trust in the institution.
Beyond individual conduct, Justice Nagarathna highlighted the importance of judicial independence from internal and external factors. She cautioned judges against being influenced by their own colleagues, stating that there should be no "coordination" in the decision-making process. According to the Justice, a judge must develop the courage to stand by their independent legal reasoning without succumbing to any form of pressure.
The Justice also addressed the administrative relationship between the High Courts and the district judiciary. She called upon the High Courts to ensure that subordinate judges feel supported and protected in their duties. She specifically noted that the power of promotion, posting, and transfer under Article 235 must be exercised fairly, ensuring that the High Court registries act with institutional sensitivity toward judicial officers' genuine grievances.
In a move toward modernizing judicial ethics, Justice Nagarathna raised concerns about the blind reliance on Artificial Intelligence for legal research. She revealed that her own bench had encountered instances where lawyers cited entirely fabricated case laws generated by AI. She cited examples such as a non-existent case titled "Mercy vs. Mankind" and a Supreme Court judgment that did not contain the quotes attributed to it by an AI tool.
To mitigate this risk, she suggested that advocates who rely on judicial precedents should be required to issue a certificate of authenticity. This would verify that the judgments being cited are real and have been accurately reported in relevant law journals. This proposal reflects a broader concern about how technological automation might inadvertently erode the accuracy and reliability of legal arguments.
Justice Nagarathna also touched upon the progress of gender representation within the judiciary. She argued that increasing the number of women judges is only the first step; the institution must also ensure safety, dignity, and enabling work conditions. This includes not only physical infrastructure like separate facilities but also an institutional culture that is sensitive and protective against any form of bias or harassment.
Reflecting on her previous judicial opinions, she reiterated that corruption is a "cancerous growth" that stems from material envy. She encouraged the legal community to shun the race for material assets and instead focus on service to the nation. This spiritual and ethical outlook, she argued, is the only way to effectively reduce or remove corruption from Indian governance.
The address concluded with a reminder to the younger generation of lawyers and judicial officers. Justice Nagarathna urged them to act as "guiding lights" by avoiding any wealth acquired beyond known sources of income. Her remarks underscore a comprehensive vision for the judiciary—one that is financially satisfied, technologically cautious, and ethically uncompromising.