New Delhi, Dec 3, 2022: Referring to itself as the “most transparent institution”, the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday stated that the collegium system should not be derailed based on statements made by “some busybody.”
The top court disapproved of the comments made by its former judges against the selection mechanism of the collegium, while terming it a “fashion”.
Let the system which is functioning not be derailed,” said a bench consisting of justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar, as it reserved its judgment on a plea demanding information about a 2018 collegium meeting.
Prashant Bhushan, the petitioner’s lawyer Prashant Bhushan, had argued that the SC was not being transparent by not revealing any detail whatsoever pertaining to the December 12, 2018 collegium meeting wherein the “decision” to elevate two high court judges to the top court was reportedly taken.
“Collegium does not function at the wishes of a busybody…it must have been an oral thing. The decision must not have been converted into writing. So many things are discussed in the collegium…We are the most transparent institution,” responded Justice Shah, who is also currently serving a member of the five-judge collegium in the apex court.
The bench on Friday also took a swipe at the remarks made on the collegium by former Supreme Court judges, especially those who were a part of the collegium during their tenure and took part in the decision-making.
“We don’t want to comment on anything said by former members. Nowadays, it has become a fashion for the former members to comment upon the decision when they were part of the collegium,” remarked the Supreme Court bench.
