We are the largest democracy in the world and it is essential that the judiciary remains a watchdog and a whistle-blower too, protecting the interests of the people (“ >For a judicial search committee ,” Aug.15). As has been said, “judges deal with questions of life and death …. and have more powers than heads of corporations and bureaucracies.” Therefore, we need to have judges with a clean background, who are the best and have ability, are meritorious, and are men and women of integrity.
Kiran Raj G.G.,
New Delhi
The new structure appears to mark the transition towards executive control over judicial appointments. Apart from this, the inclusion of a veto provision poses a threat to its independence. For all the bad press the collegium system got, it still had its merits.
Pritom Jyoti Sarma,
New Delhi
It is disconcerting to see the speed with which the government passed the NJAC Bill and brought an end to the two-decades-old collegium system. Just days ago it was the Chief Justice of India who vehemently defended the collegium system and even cautioned against a “campaign to defame the judiciary.” Therefore, the onus lies with the government to clear the air on the Bill. More important, the composition of the Commission needs explanation and justification. Among its six members, the committee will have two eminent persons chosen by the Prime Minister. The Bill, however, does not seek to define what these qualifications are. What guarantee is there that the political executive will not exercise control over judicial appointments, considering that it takes only two members to stall an appointment?
Umashanker Tumburu,
Secunderabad
People should not worry about the inclusion of the Law Minister in the NJAC. The level of transparency of the commission must be the sole concern.
Babar Ali Chagatta,
Jammu
The fact that there was hardly any opposition to the NJAC Bill shows that there is an element of political animosity towards the judiciary. The passage of the Bill will mark the start of the political encroachment of the judiciary. Maintaining the prestige and standing of the judiciary is an imperative.
Aditya Singh Dinkar,
Kochi
The collegium was no creation of the Constitution but a creation of judges themselves. The NJAC Bill will undoubtedly be more broad- based. The new Bill conforms to the rule of law and the democratic functioning of our Constitution, and strikes a balance. I am sure this high-powered body will adhere to the preamble to the Constitution and look for persons of integrity and with proven secular beliefs apart from a deep knowledge of law.
N.G.R. Prasad,
Chennai
Now that Parliament has more or less spoken in one voice, the time has also come to increase the number of courts and appoint new judges. I would suggest even the reintroduction of a jury system in our lower courts in order to oversee legal transactions. We should have all the rights to watch what happens within the four walls of a court through television channels, as in the West. Let us live up to the core tenets of transparency and honesty through this amendment.
M. Mangalaprathaban,
Coimbatore
