Centre’s letter to CJI: Modi govt ‘intimidating’ judiciary, wants to ‘capture’ it, alleges Congress   

After Law Minister Kiran Rijuji wrote a letter to Supreme Court seeking its representatives in the appointments of judges, the Congress on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of “intimidating” the judiciary in a bid to “capture” it.

Rijiju has sought government’s representation, saying it will help infuse transparency and public accountability in the selection of judges.

“The VP’s assaults. The Law Minister’s attacks. All this is orchestrated confrontation with the judiciary to intimidate and thereafter capture it totally,” AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter. “The Collegium needs reform. But what this Government wants is complete subservience – Its remedy is a poison pill for the judiciary,” he also said.

However, Rijuji justified the letter and tweeted, “The contents in the letter to hon’ble CJI are exactly in conformity with the observations and directions of the Supreme Court Constitution Bench.” “Convenient politics is not advisable, especially in the name of the Judiciary. The Constitution of India is supreme and nobody is above it,” Rijiju also said.

“I hope you honour Court’s direction! This is a precise follow-up action of the direction of the Supreme Court Constitution Bench while striking down the National Judicial Appointment Commission Act. The SC Constitution Bench had directed to restructure the MoP (Memorandum of Procedure) of the collegium system,” Rijiju said on Twitter.

Delhi CM slams it

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that this is extremely dangerous. “There should be absolutely no government interference in the judicial appointments.” This is extremely dangerous,” Kejriwal said on Twitter.

Responding to Delhi CM, the Union Minister said, “I hope you honour Court’s direction! This is precise follow-up action of the direction of the Supreme Court Constitution Bench while striking down the National Judicial Appointment Commission Act. The SC constitution bench had directed to restructure the MoP of the collegium system.”

In November, Rijiju had said that the collegium system of making judicial appointments was “alien” to the Constitution. Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla have also claimed that the judiciary was encroaching on the powers of the legislature.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM