August,12,2016:

''Why is Center sitting on recommendations of the SC Collegium for Appointment and Transfer of Judges."

Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India today questioned Narendra Modi led Central Government whether it is trying to bring the entire Judiciary in India to an unfortunate "Grinding Halt."

He also accused Modi Govt.of sitting on the recommendations given by Collegium for transfer and appointment of Judges to High Courts across the country.

CJI T.S.Thakur made it clear to the Center Govt. through Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi that the Govt. of the day is forcing the apex court judicially intervene and order for calling for every file sent by the SC Collegium to the Government for its clearance.

Apparently not satisfied by Rohtogi’s repeat assurance that it would be taken up at the "highest level", CJI Thakur said that do not force us to ask where the files are... and also don't force us to judicially intervene in the matter... do not try to bring this Judicial institution to a grinding halt... That will not be the right thing to do."

Chief Justice Thakur said that he has with him a chart containing detail list of all the Collegium recommendations for transfers and appointments of Judges.

He said that it can be shared and it contains 75 names of HC judges recommended by the SC Collegium for appointments and transfers of HC judges, including Chief Justices for States but nothing is happening from Govt's side.

Just because Govt. is working on draft Memorandum of Procedure (MOP) for appointment of Judges, but it is no excuse to freeze appointments in the meanwhile.

He said if there is a problem with a name suggested by SC, then at least send the file back.

SC can look into it, but such a logjam is getting things very difficult," Chief Justice Thakur observed.

The Apex Court Bench,with Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, reminded the Government that "Several HCs in the Country are today are working at 40 per cent of their sanctioned strength and accused are languishing in Prisons for as long as 13 years for a hearing".

"Do you want to wait till they complete the full  life sentence?" Chief Justice Thakur asked the Government.

AG assured the Bench that he will convey the SC's concerns with Govt.

 Related News @ LatestLaws.in-

26.5.2016- CJI Thakur’s claim on need of 40,000 Judges not based on Scientific Data: Law Minister Gowda

16.5.2016- Judiciary must draw its own ‘Lakshmanrekha’: FM Arun Jaitley

13.5.2016- Supreme Court gets Four New Justices, total strength reaches to 29, Two short of sanctioned 31

9.5.2016- Supreme Court averse to Centre’s say in Appointment of Judges

4.5.20016- Supreme Court to have Four more Justices, including Jayalalithaa’s Counsel L. Nageswara Rao

8.3.2016- CJI Thakur unhappy: HC working at Half Strength, Nation need 50,000 more Judges, Govt. sleeping

 

Picture Source :