In-House Procedure
Judicial Accountability Short of Impeachment
Complaints against sitting judges of the higher judiciary, including allegations of misconduct or administrative impropriety, are handled through the "in-house procedure" mechanism established by the Supreme Court in 1999 — distinct from the constitutional impeachment process under Articles 124(4)/218, which is reserved for proven misbehaviour or incapacity.
- The in-house procedure allows the Chief Justice of India to constitute a committee to examine complaints against judges, without resorting to the higher, cumbersome bar of impeachment
- Impeachment under Article 124(4) requires a motion passed by a special majority in both Houses of Parliament, following an inquiry under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 — a route rarely completed to conclusion
- Outcomes under the in-house procedure can range from a clean chit to a recommendation that a judge not be assigned judicial work, or in serious cases, a recommendation for resignation/impeachment
● Tracked since April 10, 2026 · last seen September 01, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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