Vice President says retired judges keeping country's arbitral system in tight fist grip

VP Dhankhar laments retired judges' "tight fist grip" on arbitral system, lauds CJI's "bold" remarks. Suggests introspection & necessary changes, including legislation, to make arbitral process "spinally strong". Need to evolve mechanism to avoid judicial interventions & ensure fair, equitable & conclusive dispute resolution.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday lamented that retired judges have kept the arbitral system of the country in a "tight fist grip", denying chance to other qualified minds.

He suggested that the time has come when we need to introspect and move forward by bringing about necessary changes, including, if required, by legislation.

"Nowhere on the planet, in no other country, in no other system, there is such tight fist grip on the arbitral system by retired judges. In our country, this is at large," he said.

He also lauded the "bold" remarks of Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud -- a person, he said, is changing the landscape of judiciary in the country -- on the arbitral system in India.

Mr. Dhankhar said the CJI reflected on the lack of diversity in appointing arbitrators. Justice Chandrachud, Mr. Dhankhar quoted, had said retired judges dominate the field.

"He goes on to add, and I salute him for this, he said while other qualified candidates are overlooked, he implied this reflects an old boys club mentality within the arbitration space," the Vice President said.

He said the "bold" statement of Justice Chandrachud would go a long way in making the arbitral process in India "spinally strong".