Government says it has a right to be consulted
3 July 2014 5:34 AM IST
Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday said the government has the highest respect for the judiciary, but it has the right to be consulted on the appointment of judges. ‘We have the highest respect and regard for the institution of judiciary. We are fully committed for freedom of judiciary,’ Prasad said.
He was responding to a question on Chief Justice of India RM Lodha’s comment that the government had acted unilaterally in segregating the name of former solicitor general Gopal Subramanium from the panel of four names recommended by the collegium for appointment as apex court judges.
‘In the process of appointment of judges, the government has got the right to be consulted. Whatever opinion the government has given is based upon sound grounds,’ the minister said. Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday attacked the Narendra Modi-led government for opposing Subramaniam’s appointment. Accusing the BJP of ‘prejudice’ against Subramaniam, Congress said the ruling party lacked respect for the judiciary’s independence and impartiality.
‘The government action speaks nothing except prejudice,’ Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters during a media briefing on this issue. Singhvi said there are examples galore in the history of Indian politics where the BJP made petty allegations against constitutional bodies or authorities. Singhvi also said, ‘Modi government does not believe in judiciary’s independence. It’s evident in developments of last one month.’
He was responding to a question on Chief Justice of India RM Lodha’s comment that the government had acted unilaterally in segregating the name of former solicitor general Gopal Subramanium from the panel of four names recommended by the collegium for appointment as apex court judges.
‘In the process of appointment of judges, the government has got the right to be consulted. Whatever opinion the government has given is based upon sound grounds,’ the minister said. Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday attacked the Narendra Modi-led government for opposing Subramaniam’s appointment. Accusing the BJP of ‘prejudice’ against Subramaniam, Congress said the ruling party lacked respect for the judiciary’s independence and impartiality.
‘The government action speaks nothing except prejudice,’ Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters during a media briefing on this issue. Singhvi said there are examples galore in the history of Indian politics where the BJP made petty allegations against constitutional bodies or authorities. Singhvi also said, ‘Modi government does not believe in judiciary’s independence. It’s evident in developments of last one month.’
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