A day after the political class restored its role in appointing judges, Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha said “people” in the judiciary, executive and legislature should have mutual respect and not encroach upon the domain of the other.
He was speaking at the 68th Independence Day function held at the Supreme Court lawns on Friday.
On Thursday, Parliament had undone the 21-year-old collegium system of ‘judges appointing judges’ by passing the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2014. “I am sure all of us, the people in the judiciary, the people in the executive, the people in the Parliament are mature enough to have mutual respect for each other and ensure that each organ is permitted to work within its sphere unhindered by any extraneous influence or unconstitutional means,” the Chief Justice said without specifically referring to the Bill.
A legal storm brews as eminent members of the Bar have already said they intend to seek a judicial review of the Bill by the Supreme Court.
Union Law Minister, who shared the dais with the CJI , called the Supreme Court an “institution of great hope” held in high esteem by the new government. He said in his address that the NDA government was led by a group of leaders who fought for the independence of the judiciary during the Emergency.
