A few years ago, a family friend of mine, Meena aunty, found herself in a property dispute after her husband passed away. She was fighting for her rightful share in a home she’d lived in for 30 years. The case seemed straightforward. But what should’ve been a quick hearing dragged on for over six years. At one point, her lawyer whispered that if she could "grease the right palms," the case might wrap up sooner.
She looked at me and said, “Beta, if justice has a price tag, then what’s left for people like me?”
That question still stings.
The Unspoken Truth: Justice Has a Price in India
Let’s stop pretending. We all know someone who’s been told to pay off a clerk to move a file, offer a “gift” to the stenographer, or worse—find a way to “influence” the judge. It’s an open secret. India’s judiciary, once considered untouchable and sacred, is now tangled in a web of corruption, favoritism, and political pressure.
We’re not just talking about delays anymore. We’re talking about justice being for sale.
What Does “Justice for Sale” Really Mean?
It means that verdicts can be influenced. That rich businessmen can afford a better shot at bail than an undertrial who’s been rotting in jail for five years. That land grabbers, rapists, and scamsters can walk free if they know the right people—or the right amount.
In 2019, Justice Kurian Joseph, a former Supreme Court judge, openly admitted that some judicial appointments were being influenced by external forces. That’s not a rumor—that’s a Supreme Court judge waving a red flag.
Add to this the Radia tapes, where conversations hinted at lobbying for judge appointments, and the shocking medical college bribery scam that implicated former judges. It’s not a few rotten apples anymore. It’s a problem that goes all the way to the top.
How Does This Corruption Play Out?
- The “File Movement” Tax: Want your case listed quickly? Pay a clerk or registrar.
- The Influence Game: Some lawyers charge astronomical fees not for their brilliance in law, but for their “connections.”
- Judgment on Demand: In rare cases, verdicts can be tweaked or postponed if enough money or pressure is applied.
- Post-Retirement Perks: Judges may go soft on the ruling government in hopes of landing a plum post-retirement gig—like heading a tribunal or a commission.
And while these may not be openly acknowledged in courtrooms, they are discussed with shocking normalcy in lawyers’ chambers, canteens, and corridors.
Who Pays the Price?
You do. I do. Every ordinary citizen who believes in fairness pays the price. Because once trust in the judiciary erodes, everything else crumbles. You can survive bad politics. You can survive inflation. But you can’t survive a system where courts don’t protect you anymore.
Ask a Dalit family in Uttar Pradesh waiting for a hearing after a violent assault. Ask a whistleblower who’s been slapped with a dozen fake charges for exposing corruption. Ask a rape survivor whose case gets adjourned 28 times.
When justice is delayed or manipulated, it’s not just a personal tragedy—it’s a democratic failure.
But Isn’t the Judiciary Supposed to Be Independent?
It is—on paper. Our Constitution provides for an independent judiciary. But in practice, that independence is being chipped away. The collegium system—where judges appoint judges—was designed to keep politics out. But today, it’s criticized for being opaque and riddled with internal biases.
When you don’t know how judges are selected or promoted, it opens the door for lobbying, nepotism, and, yes, corruption.
Are All Judges Corrupt? Absolutely Not.
Let’s be clear—India has had some of the most courageous judges in history. From Kesavananda Bharati to Justice H.R. Khanna, from those who stood up during the Emergency to those who passed path-breaking judgments on privacy and human rights, we’ve had many judicial heroes.
Even today, there are judges who work tirelessly, write powerful dissenting opinions, and push back against executive overreach. But they are swimming against a tide that’s growing stronger—and dirtier.
What Needs to Change?
- Transparent Appointments: The process for selecting judges must be open to public scrutiny. Let’s end the secrecy.
- Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill: Revive this and create a real mechanism to probe misconduct.
- Whistleblower Protections: Court staff, lawyers, or even junior judges who flag corruption should be protected.
- Public Pressure: Citizens must care. When we speak out, protest, or even just demand answers—change becomes possible.
This Isn’t Just a Legal Problem—It’s a Moral One
Corruption in the judiciary isn’t just about money. It’s about hope. Courts are supposed to be the last refuge for the powerless. When that refuge is compromised, the very idea of justice collapses.
So yes, it’s time to stop whispering and start shouting: justice should never be for sale. If India wants to stay a democracy, it needs a judiciary that’s clean, fearless, and truly independent.
Until then, people like Meena aunty—and millions of others—will keep knocking on courtroom doors, wondering if truth still has a place inside.
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