New Delhi: The Congress party has indicated to bring a bill on judicial accountability, amidst the reports of reports of getting crores of rupees at a Supreme Court judge’s house and resumption of National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. However, the Congress is avoiding supporting any such law that the government gets control of the appointment of judges. The party wants a method to be taken out for the appointment of judges in which the government does not interfere.
Is Congress also in favor of NJAC?
Many Congress leaders believe that the existing collegium system is not functioning properly, but they also believe that implementing NJAC may threaten the independence of the judiciary. The party says that the government should bring a better NJAC bill, which all people can consider together. Congress leaders are also insisting on judicial accountability, so that action can be taken against the wrongdoing judges.
New debate starts after the judge gets cash
Recently, there were reports of cash worth crores of rupees at a High Court judge’s house. After this, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar talked about resumption of NJAC. This has once again started a debate over the appointment of judges. The Congress party has said that it will support a bill on judicial accountability. But it will not support any law that the government gets control of the appointment of judges.
Congress also supported the bill in 2014
The Congress supported the NJAC bill in 2014. Then Parliament also passed it. But the Supreme Court canceled this law in October 2015. Last week, Dhankar raised the issue again in a meeting with Rajya Sabha leaders. Many people of the opposition believe that the Vice President is trying to find out what is the attitude of different parties on the collegium system for the appointment of judges. The purpose of NJAC was to change this collegium system.
Kharge consult Congress leaders
According to sources, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had consulted some big leaders of the party before the meeting with Dhankhar. Some leaders told Kharge that the party should theoretically agree that another method should be found in lieu of the collegium system. But the government should not be controlled by this. The leaders argued that by doing so, the government would occupy this entire system.
‘Government brought formula’
A senior Congress leader said the Indian Express said, “We agree that there should be a satisfactory way to appoint judges. Not only the appointment of judges, NJAAC i.e. National Judicial Appointments and Accountability should also be commissioned, which should also ensure appointments as well as accountability. When the government brings its formula, we will comment on this.”
‘Collegium failed to a large extent’
Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said, “I have no hesitation in saying that the collegium system has failed to a large extent. I also agree that the investigation by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has started, it is commendable and its report should be shared in a transparent manner. he/she says that NJAC will solve all the problems.
‘Judiciary’s issue of accountability’
his/her party ally and Lok Sabha MP Manish Tiwari said that the issue is not only about judicial appointments, but also with the accountability of the judiciary. he/she said that apart from impeachment on judges, there should be ways to take action on them. Tiwari said that the scope of NJAC is limited. he/she said, “It does not start and end with appointments. That is why the UPA government came up with a judicial standard and accountability bill, which was unfortunate. However, Parliament needs to discuss its role in detail in monitoring both the legislature and the judiciary. Tiwari believes that Tiwari believes that there should be a clear process to act on the mistakes of the judges.
Tiwari expressed surprise that Parliament is not discussing this issue, while it is in the minds of the people and is on the front page of the newspapers. he/she said that the Union Law Minister has not made a single statement on the incident of Justice Yashwant Verma. he/she said, “No person is blaming anyone, but the government should inform Parliament. I am afraid that Parliament is running away from its responsibility if it chooses to be silent on the issue of widespread impact.”