Steps worth taking

Sound advice from Parliament on judicial reform

India’s recent constitutional history has featured an uneasy relationship between the three branches of the state. In particular, the executive and legislature have sought often to corral the judiciary. It would be natural, therefore, for observers — including some in the higher judiciary — to look with a jaundiced eye on advice from the legislature on reforming India’s courts. It would be a mistake, however, to apply this sort of filter to the recent report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice. This report, which was tabled in Parliament recently, came up with some well-argued