Kapadia at the event. (PTI)

New Delhi, April 16 (PTI): Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia today said there was a need for a “clean man in black robe” and asked the political class not to protect corrupt judges.

“We have to live by examples. We need a clean man in black robe to uphold the independence and integrity of the judiciary,” Kapadia said while cautioning judges from inevitably ending up in the political arena.

Kapadia said judges should maintain self-restraint and avoid being in touch with lawyers, political parties, their leaders or ministers. High-ranking judges should not interfere in the administrative work of lower courts, he added.

“Internal interference from a high-ranking judge which, if resisted, could lead to the lower-ranking judge being transferred or being denied promotion also needs to be deprecated. Similarly, political protection should not be given to corrupt judges,” Kapadia said at the fifth M.C. Setalvad memorial lecture.

“A judge must inevitably choose to be a little aloof and isolated from the community at large. He should not be in contact with lawyers, individuals or political parties, their leaders or ministers unless it is on purely social occasions,” he said.

The Chief Justice’s remarks assume significance as the issue of corruption allegedly involving Judges P.D. Dinakaran and Soumitra Sen, who are facing impeachment proceedings in Parliament, was raised by other speakers.

Senior advocates Anil Divan and P.P. Rao voiced concern over judges being involved in corruption.

The Chief Justice began his speech by saying: “I am an eternal optimist and I can see that in future things are going to improve as far as integrity and as far as credibility of the Supreme Court is concerned.”

Kapadia said the judges should stick to judicial norms. “The judge should not accept patronage through which he acquires office, preferential treatment or pre-retirement assignments. These can give rise to corruption,” he said. Kapadia stressed the need for protecting the integrity of the judiciary. “Judges must keep the part of impartial, objective, fearless and independent justice alive,” he said.

The Chief Justice said he had avoided socialising and even preferred not to take membership of any golf club because it would have him mingling with advocates and politicians, among others, giving rise to a negative impression.