"Selection system for elevation as judges to be tightened up"

"The system of choosing candidates for elevation to constitutional courts in the country is not foolproof. The criteria of selection for elevation to the High Court is success at the bar and the personal satisfaction of those involved in the selection process," he said.

Delivering the commemorative lecture series on 'Judicial Accountability and Reforms' as part of the Madras High Court's Sesquicentennial celebrations, organised by the Law Association here,Justice Chelameswar said he did not agree with the practice of using professional income as a yardstick to measure an individuals success.

It was not "a wholly rational criteria", he said and pointed out that pay scales were not uniform in courts across the country.

Justice Chelameswar said "a candidate's academic credentials and personality are, in no way, subject to scientific scrutiny.

He wondered why there should not be some method of analysis while choosing individuals to become judges.

The Bar could provide impartial inputs about candidates, the Judge said and referred to the opposition to former US President Ronald Regan's nomination to become a Supreme Court Judge by the then Attorney General on the ground that Reagan was an ultra-conservative.

"All of us are very willing and eager to criticise judges but how many of us are willing to spend time and energy to analyse and criticise judgements.

The absence of academic supervision is also a factor which emboldens judges to deviate from the norms required to be followed," Justice Chelameswar said.