Bills on judiciary may be delayed further

New Delhi: A much-delayed bill which provides for a mechanism to investigate complaints against judges could be held up further in Parliament along with another measure which seeks to increase the retirement age of high court judges. The discussion on the two bills—the Judicial Standards and Accountability and the Constitution (114th Amendment) Bill, 2010—remained inconclusive in the Lok Sabha today as the House was adjourned abruptly today after uproar created by BJP which wanted voting on the two bills.[caption id=“attachment_167817” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Debates on judiciary bills may be longer. Reuters”] [/caption] The Constitution Amendment Bill requires that it be passed by a two-third majority of the members present which should not be less than half the strength of the house. A senior minister said that the two bills were not part of Thursday’s agenda. It is also is the last day of the extended Winter session. The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill 2010, which is an amended version of the one introduced last year, provides for a mechanism to investigate complaints against judges. The 114th Constitution Amendment Bill seeks to raise the retirement age of High Court judges from the present 62 years to 65 years, bringing it on par with the retirement age of Supreme Court judges. Questions are also being raised over whether the Whistle-blowers’ Bill will be taken up in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The Bill has already been approved by the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha is expected to devote the entire day on Thursday on the Lokpal Bill. PTI