Psychological profiling of judges essential: Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Psychological profiling of candidates has become essential before recruiting them as judges.

The above issue was one of the major suggestions made by judges from different high courts in the country during the first-ever national conclave on challenges facing the Indian judiciary-roadmap for the future held in the city on Saturday.

Briefing the various suggestions that came up during the day-long conclave the senior-most judge of Supreme Court, Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde said it was suggested that psychological profiling of candidates would assess their suitability to become judges. He said suitability must be distinct from being fit to become judges.

Justice Bobde said such profiling will also tell the respective high courts (where judges are to be recruited) about their suitability to handle different kinds of cases.

Terming the conclave as intensely satisfying for judges who are faced with various problems and challenges, Justice Bobde said problems faced by the present judiciary are really deep and pervasive which have affected the functioning of judges in many ways.

Justice Bobde also said that when functioning of judges is affected, it also affects the administration of justice. “When administration of justice is affected, it affects everything in the country including rights and comfort of citizens,” he said.

According to Justice Bobde, the conclave discussed five major issues including impact of social media on judiciary and growing negative perception concerning judiciary. He said everyday a lot of things are written and talked about judiciary. The judiciary has been facing both brickbats and receiving praises daily. “During the conclave, we had observed that unnecessary and unwanted comments affect performances of judges,” he said.

On the issue of the impact of social media on judiciary, Justice Bobde said many points are emerging as to whether judges should participate in social media discussions or not. He said judges should participate but not engage or embroil themselves in social media. “There is no need to do so,” he said, adding that there is also a necessity of creating WhatsApp groups among judges to keep pace with the changing times.

During the conclave it was also discussed and suggested that the courts should evolve a mechanism to respond to unnecessary and unwanted criticism of the judiciary by vested interest groups. There is also a need to have Public Relations Officials in courts to highlight the truths to respond to factually incorrect reports published in a section of the media.

Justice Bobde said delay in judgments can be attributed to growing negative perception about the judiciary among the people. He, however, said it takes some time to deliver justice. “There should not be an undue haste as well as delay in delivering justice,” he said.

The conclave inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, also discussed about the use of information technology and artificial intelligence system for fast and effective delivery justice in the present times. Altogether 40 judges from 25 high courts from across the country attended the working session of the conclave.

Justice Bobde while terming the first-ever national conclave as an initiative of CJI Justice Ranjan Gogoi, also thanked Chief Justice (Acting) of Gauhati High Court Justice Arup Jyoti Gogoi for making the event a grand success. He said there is a need to organize more such conclaves in the future.

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