India High Courts Disciplinary Accountability Report: Zero Transparency

• The Judicial Transparency Index Report, released August 1, 2026, found India's High Courts largely lack transparency in judicial disciplinary processes.
• Not a single High Court publishes a code of conduct for its judges, and only two disclose records of sanctions.
• The report assessed 25 High Courts against seven indicators, including publishing complaint procedures and informing complainants of outcomes.
• Across all indicators, the findings were described as a 'blank sheet,' indicating a widespread absence of public information.
• Only the Madras High Court provided limited information on complainable conduct, specifically regarding bribery.

Not a single High Court in India publishes a formal code of conduct for its judges.

A significant new report, the Judicial Transparency Index Report, released on August 1, 2026, has cast a stark light on the disciplinary accountability mechanisms within India's 25 High Courts. Conducted by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy and JALDI, this comprehensive India High Courts disciplinary accountability report reveals a near-complete absence of public information regarding judicial conduct and disciplinary actions across the country's higher judiciary.

The findings indicate that not a single High Court in India publishes a formal code of conduct for its judges. Furthermore, the public is largely uninformed about the specific types of behavior that can lead to a complaint against a judge. Perhaps most strikingly, only two High Courts nationwide maintain any public record of instances where a judge has faced sanctions for misconduct, pointing to a systemic lack of disclosure.

The Judicial Transparency Index Report India employed a rigorous framework to evaluate the level of transparency and accountability. Researchers assessed the 25 High Courts against seven distinct indicators of disciplinary accountability, which were organized into four primary clusters. These indicators aimed to determine the extent to which courts provide clear guidelines and information to the public regarding judicial ethics and disciplinary processes.

Specifically, the assessment examined whether High Courts publish a code of conduct applicable to judges and clearly specify the types of conduct against which complaints can be lodged. It also scrutinized the availability of information regarding the procedure for filing a complaint, the disclosure of the process and timeline for investigating alleged misconduct, and whether complainants are informed of both the investigation's findings and its final outcome. The report further investigated if complainants receive notification about the ultimate outcome of disciplinary proceedings and if courts publish decisions where sanctions were actually imposed on judges.

Across all 25 High Courts and every one of the seven indicators, the report's findings were described as akin to a 'blank sheet,' underscoring a profound lack of public-facing information. This means that, with one minor exception, the public has no access to official guidelines on judicial conduct or clear avenues for redress.

Only the Madras High Court judicial conduct information offered any discernible public guidance on complainable behavior. This limited disclosure consisted of a general notice on its website, stating that 'bribe giving and receiving is an offense,' and providing a contact for its Registrar Vigilance for complaints. Beyond this isolated instance, the report found a universal failure among High Courts to provide essential details regarding judicial ethics and disciplinary processes.

The findings of this India judicial ethics report highlight a critical gap in the accountability framework for judges, posing significant challenges for public trust and the effective functioning of the justice system. The absence of published codes of conduct and clear guidelines on complainable behavior leaves citizens and legal professionals alike without a transparent understanding of expected judicial standards or how to address potential misconduct. This opacity directly impacts the perception of judicial integrity and the ability to hold judges accountable.

The lack of disclosure regarding disciplinary processes, investigation timelines, and the outcomes of proceedings further exacerbates this issue. Without readily available information on the High Court judge disciplinary process, the public cannot ascertain whether complaints are adequately addressed or if appropriate sanctions are applied. This situation, as revealed by the Vidhi Centre judicial accountability study, underscores the urgent need for greater transparency to foster confidence in the judiciary.

This report highlights a significant lack of clarity and transparency in judicial disciplinary processes across Indian High Courts. Lawyers should be aware of the challenges this presents when advising clients on potential complaints against judges or assessing judicial ethical conduct frameworks.

Source: Original reporting via Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy and JALDI