Continuing his tradition of transparency, Madras High Court Judge GR Swaminathan has released a detailed performance report marking his seven years in office. Known for his forthright observations and unbiased judgments, Justice Swaminathan’s report highlights the clearance of 64,798 cases during his tenure.
The eight-page report recalls the release of a similar report after his second year in office, a move that received mixed reactions from his colleagues and seniors. Despite the criticism, Justice Swaminathan stands by his belief that all public officeholders, including judges, should be held accountable for their performance.
In a letter dated June 27, Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court reflected on his earlier performance report released in 2019, after completing two years as a judge. He acknowledged that the report generated significant attention and was not well-received by most of his colleagues and seniors. However, he expressed no regret for issuing that scorecard.
Justice Swaminathan emphasised the importance of focusing on the disposal of main cases rather than flaunting the total number, including miscellaneous disposals. “If I include my miscellaneous disposals, the total will be 1,03,685 cases. I believe that the disposal of main cases alone should matter. One should not flaunt the figure of miscellaneous disposals. They give a misleading picture to the general public. I have no desire to boast,” he stated.
He released this performance card as a measure of judicial accountability and announced his intention to dictate all his judgments in open court moving forward, aiming to enhance transparency in the judicial system.
Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court candidly addressed challenges he faced in his role, stating, “I had reserved a number of matters and find it difficult to prepare the orders without the benefit of rehearing. However, I am not supposed to retain the bundles once the cycle is over. Therefore, with a heavy heart, I am releasing almost 75 cases from my board. I extend my apologies to the counsel and concerned litigants for not disposing of these cases. Henceforth, I shall dictate all judgments in open court to avoid such situations.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Justice Swaminathan acknowledged areas for improvement: “I have introspected and wonder if things could have been different and better. My conscience says ‘yes’. I have been impatient, sometimes even rude. I hope to exhibit better behavior henceforth. Many of my orders have been too cryptic. I request the Bar to understand that, given the heavy caseload, I focused on disposals and could not afford to write long orders. However, the essential facts should have been included, and there is no excuse for omitting them.”
Justice GR Swaminathan of Madras High Court releases performance report on his 7 years as judge
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Justice GR Swaminathan stated, “I do not regret having released that scorecard. In my view, all holders of public office, including judges, ought to be held accountable and judged based on their performance. Recently, a senior judge in the district judiciary was dismissed due to poor performance. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. The standards of conduct and performance applicable to the district judiciary must equally apply to members of the higher judiciary. Holding firm to this principle, I consider it appropriate to disclose my disposal details to date.”
He addressed a recent social media incident, stating, “Recently, it appeared on social media as if I had harshly criticized the railways. The language was colorful, suggesting I spat fire. Judges can’t retaliate or jump into the public arena to hit back. They have to endure many things. Media can’t put words into my mouth. Perhaps bar members can set the record straight in such cases by writing letters to editors, YouTubers, or bloggers involved. I have certain aspirations for how I will spend my remaining six years on the bench, and I appeal to the lawyers to cooperate with me.”
Further, he concluded on a personal note, saying, “My moral failings continue to haunt me, one of them being my tendency to lose temper. I hope to turn a new leaf from tomorrow. I also want to contribute to the march of law and learn from you, the advocates. It is from you that I can gain knowledge. I seek your cooperation in this endeavor.”
