Mr. D. V. Sadananda Gowda, Union Law Minister has complaint to Justice G. Rohini, Delhi High Court Chief Justice to look into the matter of “corruption, favouritism and nepotism” in the Delhi Judicial Services Examination. The preliminary exam was conducted on 1 June 2014 and the mains were held on 10-11 October to fill up 80 vacancies of district and sessions judges in Delhi. The result of the same was declared in early May.
In a letter sent to Chief Justice directly, which is usually sent to Registrar General of the High Court, it is alleged by Mr. Gowda that the family members and relatives of the sitting judges were favoured over others who failed by big margins. Mr. Gowda wrote, “Department of Justice has recently forwarded a couple of similar grievances to Registrar General of the Delhi High Court for taking action, as appropriate. I, however, thought it fit to bring the matter to your notice for action, as appropriate.”
As per the allegations, the examination process from preparation of question papers to evaluation of answer sheets involved the judges of the High Court. He even named the selected candidates who are the kin of the judges of the High Court and it is alleged that even the topper of the examination is the daughter of a judge. Even the RTIs filed in this regard went unanswered on certain aspects.
It must be noted here that the Delhi Judicial Service examination were re-conducted in 1991 after being cancelled on the grounds of bias. Those who could not pass the exam were declared successful in the subsequent exam.
By Roopali Mohan, 2nd Year, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, New Delhi