BNS Section 15 – Legal Immunity for Judges Acting in Judicial Capacity
Act of the Judge when acting as a judge
A judge can’t break the law when he or she is doing their job and using any power that the law gives them, or that they honestly believe they have.
Important Things About BNS-15
According to BNS-15 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, judges who are doing their jobs are protected by the law. When judges are doing their jobs in good faith, this part of the law protects them from being charged with a crime.
- Immunity for judges: Scenario of Immunity: BNS-15 says that actions taken by a judge while doing their job as a judge are not illegal under the Sanhita. When the judge does these things, they are immune: For the Judge to Exercise Their Judicial Power, they must be in their official role as a judge. As long as the judge acts in good faith, they are following the law and not breaking any rules.
- Things that were done in good faith: Definition of Good Faith: A judge acting in good faith really believes that what they are doing is legal. This means making choices or acting in ways that might be wrong, but are done with good intentions and within the limits of their judicial authority. Trust in the Law: The judge has to act as if the law supports what they’re doing, even if they’re not sure if this is the right thing to do.
- Protection from the law for judges: Protection: This part of the law keeps judges from being charged with crimes for what they do as judges, so they can do their jobs without worrying about being charged with a crime. It helps judges make fair and impartial decisions by taking away their worries about possible legal consequences for their actions. Judicial Accountability: BNS-15 protects judges, but it doesn’t keep them from being held responsible when there is clear misconduct or corruption in the courts. These kinds of problems are dealt with by different systems and laws. Implications for real life: Supports the independence of the courts: Fair Decision-Making: BNS-15 protects judges from being charged with crimes for actions they do in good faith. This means that judges can make decisions based on the law without fear of being charged. Certainty in the law: Setting Limits: This part makes it clear that things judges do as part of their jobs are not illegal. This makes it easy to tell the difference between legal actions taken by judges and possible illegal behavior. Protection Up to a Point: The protection under BNS-15 depends on the judge believing that their actions are legal. This is called the “good faith requirement.” If it can be shown that the judge acted without authority or with bad intentions, other laws may apply. Such as: Judicial Decision: In a complicated legal case, a judge makes a decision by applying the law to the facts in the way they understand it. BNS-15 makes sure that the judge can’t be charged for their decision if it turns out to be wrong but they made it in good faith and thought they were within the law’s authority.
- In conclusion: The BNS-15 law is very important because it protects judges by saying that actions they take as judges and because they have faith in their legal authority are not crimes. This protection encourages judicial independence and makes sure that judges can do their jobs without worrying about being charged with a crime. Judges are still generally legally responsible through other means.
