India, May 23 -- Judicial corruption is not merely a legal problem; it is a civilisational crisis. When citizens begin to believe that justice can be purchased, delayed, manipulated, or selectively delivered, the moral foundation of society starts collapsing. Courts are meant to be the last refuge of the powerless. If that refuge itself becomes compromised, insensitivity spreads across institutions and ordinary people lose faith not only in law but also in fairness, honesty, and democratic accountability.

India's judiciary has historically produced towering constitutional guardians, yet repeated allegations involving favoritism, opaque appointments, delayed disciplinary action, post-retirement inducements, and unexplained judicial conduc...