A day after Parliament unanimously passed the Constitution (99th Amendment) Bill to do away with the collegium system, Chief Justice of India RM Lodha on Friday said that he hoped that judiciary, executive and Parliament work without any interference.
“I am sure people in judiciary, executive and Parliament have mutual respect for one another and each is allowed to work unhindered, Chief Justice Lodha said at a function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association to celebrate the nation’s 68th Independence Day.
Stressing on the need for use of technology, Justice Lodha said it is high time that tools of technology are provided to police and judiciary for quick disposal of cases.
Responding to criticism that the legal fraternity was not consulted before the government rushed with the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: “For me individually and for the government, the independence of judiciary is complete and total.”
In order to do away with the outdated laws, the Union Minister said his government will ensure that 200-300 obsolete laws are repealed.
The Rajya Sabha on Thursday unanimously passed the Constitution (99th Amendment) Bill to do away with the collegium system of appointing Supreme Court and high court judges, a day after the Lok Sabha passed the bill.
The bill, and the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2014, seek to put the proposed judicial appointment commission and its entire composition in the statute.
The Constitution (99th Amendment) Bill and the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2014 lay down the procedure to be followed by the proposed body for appointment of Supreme Court judges and transfer and appointment of chief justices and other judges of the high courts.
(Source: PTI)
