New Delhi, Nov 13, 2022: Ex-CJI UU Lalit, who retired earlier this week, said the Supreme Court collegium was “correct and balanced” in an interview after Kiren Rijiju referred to the system as “opaque and unaccountable”.
Addressing the comments in an exclusive interview, the former justice shared: These (“opaque, unaccountable”) are his personal views… It’s a perfectly, correct and balanced way of doing things. It is a system where every viewpoint is considered.”
Spearheaded by the Chief Justice of India and consisting of four senior-most judges of the court, the collegium recommends names for appointment and transfers of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Earlier this week, the apex court had expressed displeasure over the delay done by the Centre in clearing the names recommended for appointment as judges in the higher judiciary, including those reiterated by the collegium. The top court had further said that keeping them pending is “not acceptable”.
Last week, Rijiju had said, “I am not critical about the judiciary or the judges but I state a fact which is the reflection of the thinking of the common people of India. The collegium system is opaque and isn’t accountable.”
