Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul on his memoir ‘Without Fear or Favour ‘and the executive’s growing influence over the collegium system

Former Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul released a memoir titled ‘Without Fear or Favour’ in which he reflects on his judicial career and the challenges he faced while serving on India’s highest court. The book offers a personal account of landmark judgments, internal court dynamics and the pressures that accompany decisions affecting the nation’s legal framework. Kaul’s narrative provides readers with insight into the mindset of a judge who has presided over cases ranging from constitutional disputes to high‑profile criminal matters.

In interviews promoting the memoir, Justice Kaul warned that the executive branch is increasingly seeking to shape the collegium system that selects judges for the higher judiciary. He pointed out that recent years have seen a slowdown in the processing of collegium recommendations, leading to prolonged vacancies in several high courts and the Supreme Court itself. Kaul argued that such delays undermine the independence of the judiciary and create uncertainty for litigants awaiting the appointment of new judges. He called for a transparent and time‑bound mechanism to restore confidence in the selection process.

The concerns raised by Justice Kaul arrive at a time when the Indian legal system is under scrutiny for its ability to deliver timely justice. Legal scholars suggest that reforms could include setting statutory timelines for the collegium to act, establishing an independent oversight body, or introducing a merit‑based evaluation framework. For the public, a more efficient appointment process means fewer delays in hearing cases, which can affect everything from civil disputes to criminal appeals. Observers will watch how the government and the judiciary respond to these calls for change in the coming months.