Supreme Court Highlights Accountability and Staffing Issues in Indian Tribunals

The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the functioning of tribunals in India, describing them as a liability due to issues like lack of accountability and delays in filling vacancies. The Court criticized practices such as technical members outsourcing verdict writing and questioned the appointment of former government officials as expert members in tribunals like the National Green Tribunal (NGT), highlighting potential conflicts of interest. The government has been urged to ensure timely appointments and improve tribunal accountability to prevent functional crises.