20 yrs on, govt for changing system of appointing judges

Almost two decades after the judiciary arrogated to itself power to appoint judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, the UPA government is in the process of drafting a bill to change the present system of judicial appointments.

Almost two decades after the judiciary arrogated to itself power to appoint judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, the UPA government is in the process of drafting a bill to change the present system of judicial appointments.

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Addressing an international seminar on ‘Recent Trends in Judicial Reforms: A Global Perspective’, law minister Ashwani Kumar on Saturday said the government was working on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill to make judicial appointment system more representative.

The amended version of the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill that lays down judicial standards for judges, will also be taken up for discussion during the budget session, Kumar said in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee, judges and advocates.

The minister later told reporters the government was trying to build a political consensus on the issue and, if needed, a constitution amendment bill would be introduced.

Asked if the government intended to overturn the present collegium system to give more say to the executive in judicial appointments, he said it was a “work in progress” and a nominee of the President and the Prime Minister could be part of the proposed Judicial Appointments Commission.