Complaints against sitting judges have risen by over 51% between 2016 and 2025, the Ministry of Law and Justice informed Parliament. The data shows 729 complaints were received by the Chief Justice of India in 2016. The number increased to 1,102 in 2025. The highest figure during this period was 1,170 complaints in 2024. The lowest was 518 in 2020.
The information came in response to a question raised in the Lok Sabha by MP MatheswaranV.S. He sought details on complaints involving sexual misconduct, corruption and other serious impropriety against judges of high courts and the Supreme Court.
The ministry said the judiciary handles such complaints through an in-house mechanism. It referred to two resolutions adopted by the Supreme Court in May 1997, including the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life and a procedure for remedial action against judges who violate accepted norms. The 16-point code outlines standards on financial conduct, public appearances, political engagement and professional distance in court matters.
The ministry said complaints against judges are forwarded to the Chief Justice of India or respective high court chief justices through the CPGRAMS public grievance portal. However, the reply did not detail the nature of complaints or action taken in specific cases.
The Department of Justice website notes that it receives a large number of grievances. In March 2025 alone, 1,410 grievances were filed on CPGRAMS.