JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND DEMOCRATIC WILL
AUTHOR – AMAN BHARTI* & PROF. (DR.) ARUN KUMAR SINGH**
* LLM (CONSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW) ||LL.B|| ENGLISH(HONS) || THE ICFAI UNIVERSITY, DEHRADUN AMANBHARTI85810@GMAIL.COM
** PROFESSOR, THE ICFAI UNIVERSITY, DEHRADUN. EMAIL – ARUN.SINGH@IUDEHRADUN.EDU.IN
BEST CITATION – AMAN BHARTI & PROF. (DR.) ARUN KUMAR SINGH, JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND DEMOCRATIC WILL, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (6) OF 2025, PG. 522-33, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344
ABSTRACT
Judicial accountability is a cornerstone of democratic governance, particularly in India, where the judiciary plays a critical role in safeguarding constitutional rights and mediating state-individual disputes. While judicial independence is vital, it must be balanced with transparency and accountability to maintain public trust. Symbolic reforms, such as removing ceremonial robes and unveiling a new Lady Justice statue without a blindfold, reflect a shift toward openness and recognition of societal inequalities. The Doctrine of Open Justice, endorsed by judgments like Mohammed Shahabuddin v. State of Bihar, emphasizes fairness, media access, and public scrutiny to ensure legitimacy.
With an emphasis on open justice concepts, this chapter examines the connection between public scrutiny and judicial accountability. The legal foundation for open justice, judicial openness, and restrictions on public access to court proceedings are all covered. The chapter highlights the significance of citizen involvement and the public’s role in influencing justice changes. It also examines the necessity for public understanding and involvement in judicial procedures, as well as how public apathy might impede justice reforms. The chapter highlights the conflict between privacy and openness while offering a thorough grasp of the legal, moral, and practical facets of judicial responsibility and public scrutiny.
Key Words: Judicial accountability, judicial independence, open justice, transparency, sealed cover, live streaming, public trust, constitutional democracy, media scrutiny, Supreme Court of India