Centre writes to SC, wants its representative in Collegium

NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has written to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court requesting the inclusion of government representatives in the Supreme Court and High Court collegiums preparing the panel for the appointment of judges. The central government issued the letter toughening its stand days after the collegium issued a warning regarding the appointment of judges. The Centre's demand is to include central government representatives in the Supreme Court collegium and state representatives in the High Court collegium.

In his letter, Minister Rijiju stated that the inclusion of government representatives in the collegium will infuse transparency and accountability to the public in the court's decision-making process concerning the appointment of judges. Sources close to the Centre said that no decision has been reached on the judges appointment process and the letter contained suggestions on how to make it efficient. It is known that the letter was not discussed by the collegium.

The government issued the letter after the final hearing on a petition filed by the Bengaluru Advocates Association seeking contempt of court action against the Centre for delaying the appointment of judges by ignoring collegium recommendations.