Selecting judges tougher, says CJI-designate Thakur

Chief Justice of India designate Justice TS Thakur on Wednesday stressed on the need to fill up vacancies in courts across the country saying striking down of the recent constitutional amendment on judges appointment has made the selection task “much more difficult”.

Referring to the 400 vacant positions in high courts and many more in district courts across the country as a major issue, Thakur said, “To find 400 people worthy of being elevated to this position is not an easy task.” “Chief justices and judges of the Supreme Court, while selecting people for elevation, must go strictly by the beats of their conscience rather than any consideration,” he added.

Addressing the legal fraternity at a function organised to bid farewell to outgoing CJI H L Dattu, Thakur said judiciary faces its toughest challenges today as people feel it has claimed to itself the power to appoint judges but has to come up to expectations of the people so that they do not feel disappointed.