‘Collegium system of judges’ appointment opaque’
14 May 2013 7:29 AM IST
Union law minister Kapil Sibal on Monday said that the present collegium system of appointment of judges was ‘opaque’ and ‘non-transparent’, but nothing could be done to change it overnight.
‘Present (collegium) system of appointment of judges is opaque and non-transparent,’ Sibal said in his informal interaction with media persons soon after assuming the charge of the law ministry, given to him as an additional responsibility after the resignation of Ashwani Kumar.
‘Appointment to the higher judiciary must be through transparent process, which ensures that persons of impeccable integrity and high competence are appointed,’ Sibal said, adding that there are short-term and long-term objectives to achieve it.
For achieving the short term objectives, Sibal said, ‘We need to have consultations with the judiciary.’ For the long term, ‘you need to bring law for which existing bills can be passed, if opposition plays ball with the government’.
He favoured ‘radical’ and ‘structural’ changes for judicial reforms.
Somewhat tentative when asked about his agenda for the law ministry, Sibal said that a roadmap for his new assignment would be clear in a couple of weeks.
‘Big-big people boosted a lot, but nothing has happened so far,’ Sibal said.
‘Present (collegium) system of appointment of judges is opaque and non-transparent,’ Sibal said in his informal interaction with media persons soon after assuming the charge of the law ministry, given to him as an additional responsibility after the resignation of Ashwani Kumar.
‘Appointment to the higher judiciary must be through transparent process, which ensures that persons of impeccable integrity and high competence are appointed,’ Sibal said, adding that there are short-term and long-term objectives to achieve it.
For achieving the short term objectives, Sibal said, ‘We need to have consultations with the judiciary.’ For the long term, ‘you need to bring law for which existing bills can be passed, if opposition plays ball with the government’.
He favoured ‘radical’ and ‘structural’ changes for judicial reforms.
Somewhat tentative when asked about his agenda for the law ministry, Sibal said that a roadmap for his new assignment would be clear in a couple of weeks.
‘Big-big people boosted a lot, but nothing has happened so far,’ Sibal said.
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