March 30,2018:

The Union in its statement stated that,“The letter of Justice Chelameswar reveals direct interference of central government in the process of appointment of judges in the High Court. The letter clearly shows that the independence of the Judiciary is in peril now”.Letter by Justice Chelameswar has revealed the direct interference of Central Government in the process of appointment of judges in High Court.

All India Lawyers' Union has expressed concern over issues raised by Supreme Court’s senior-most judge Justice J. Chelameswar in a letter to the CJI, in which he has urged CJI to convene a full court to deal with alleged executive interference in judiciary.

Union has further stated that,"Lawyers across the country were concerned with the latest revelations made in the letter in which Justice Chelameswar has questioned the probe initiated by Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari against District and Sessions Judge Krishna Bhat at the request of the Ministry of Law and Justice, despite his name being recommended for elevation twice by the Collegium".

It stated that,“More painful for the democracy is that the present Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court has obediently succumbed to the Executive pressure. The present govt is not only deliberately destroying the independence of judiciary but few judges are also abetting it”.

AILU added that if Collegium’s recommendations could not be accepted, they should have been referred to Supreme Court for reconsideration.

“A judge is oath bound to uphold the Constitution without favour and fear. Chief Justice of Karnataka has failed in the instant case to stick to his oath. It’s time to raise voice to save both democracy and the Constitution,” the statement added.

Justice Chelameswar had shot off a letter on Martch 21 to the CJI urging him to consider convening a full court to take up the issue of alleged executive interference in judiciary. He had also cautioned that “the bonhomie between the judiciary and the government in any State sounds the death knell to democracy”.

 

Picture Source :