Inadequate disclosure

Transparency needs more than online posts on judges' appointments

At first glance, the Supreme Court collegium’s declaration that it will post online the reasons for appointing a judge or rejecting an appointment is an admirable move. The devil, however, lies in the detail — that is, the level of disclosure the apex court is prepared to offer. Would an explanatory note go far enough towards improving accountability and transparency at the highest levels of the judiciary? It is significant that this suo motu move comes soon after the controversy following the resignation of Justice Jayant Patel, the second most senior judge of the Karnataka High Court, with a chance