Judges are bound by a code of conduct that governs not only their behaviour in court, but also how they conduct themselves outside it. This code, known as the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct (so named because the initial drafts were prepared in Bangalore over two decades ago), emphasises that judges must be seen by the public as fair and impartial. They must avoid any action, in their personal and professional lives, that could cause the public to question their integrity.
When judges fail to uphold these standards, the judiciary has an internal mechanism to maintain accountability and ensure that judges follow the values of judicial life. There is an established procedure for receiving complaints through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). Between 2017 and 2021, for example, over 1600 such complaints were received. In cases where the allegations are serious, the Parliament can take action by passing a motion of impeachment. Such a