Lowering the dignity of judiciary: another corrupt move
Former Chief Justice of India, Palaniswamy Sathasivam, has been appointed Governor of Kerala in the middle of a raging debate over whether such political appointments will compromise judicial independence.
Justice Sathasivam, 65, is expected to be sworn in on Friday. "If I say no to this job, I have to do farming in my village. As a former Chief Justice of India I can have good relations with the state and the Centre and it will benefit the people of Kerala," he told NDTV.
The opposition Congress has reminded the BJP of its own objections to post retirement positions for judges. Last year, Arun Jaitley, now union minister, had written in a blog, "I have held a strong view that Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts must not be eligible for jobs in the Government after retirement. In some cases, the pre-retirement judicial conduct of a judge is influenced by the desire to get a post retirement assignment."
The Congress alleges that Justice Sathasivam's appointment is linked to a case involving BJP president Amit Shah.
Just before his term ended, Justice Sathasivam was on the Supreme Court bench that scrapped a second FIR or police complaint against Amit Shah in a fake encounter killing case in Gujarat, saying it was linked to the bigger Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case and did not need to be separate.
A statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed Justice Sathasivam's appointment hours after over 100 Kerala lawyers sent a resolution to President Pranab Mukherjee, asking him not to go through with it.
Echoing political objections, the lawyers said if a person who held the highest judicial post is made Governor, which is a political appointment, then it will impact judicial independence.
This appointment is reducing the stature of the Chief Justice. The CJI administers oath of office to the President, how can such a person of high office be appointed the governor. more
Justice Sathasivam, 65, is expected to be sworn in on Friday. "If I say no to this job, I have to do farming in my village. As a former Chief Justice of India I can have good relations with the state and the Centre and it will benefit the people of Kerala," he told NDTV.
The opposition Congress has reminded the BJP of its own objections to post retirement positions for judges. Last year, Arun Jaitley, now union minister, had written in a blog, "I have held a strong view that Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts must not be eligible for jobs in the Government after retirement. In some cases, the pre-retirement judicial conduct of a judge is influenced by the desire to get a post retirement assignment."
The Congress alleges that Justice Sathasivam's appointment is linked to a case involving BJP president Amit Shah.
Just before his term ended, Justice Sathasivam was on the Supreme Court bench that scrapped a second FIR or police complaint against Amit Shah in a fake encounter killing case in Gujarat, saying it was linked to the bigger Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case and did not need to be separate.
A statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed Justice Sathasivam's appointment hours after over 100 Kerala lawyers sent a resolution to President Pranab Mukherjee, asking him not to go through with it.
Echoing political objections, the lawyers said if a person who held the highest judicial post is made Governor, which is a political appointment, then it will impact judicial independence.
This appointment is reducing the stature of the Chief Justice. The CJI administers oath of office to the President, how can such a person of high office be appointed the governor. more
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It is becoming a very crucial situation for India, because the Modi Government is very sophisticated and the entire team is using very minute gaps in our system. Creating confusion among masses, using loop holes in the system; every single post is being captured to ensure maximum control. Judiciary has been very critical and somewhat independent so far, which is now being targeted. If we do not get rid of such actions soon, Democracy will vanish. more
Sep 23
It will be black day in the history of India, humanity and our society. Now our politicians are running behind money and power and hating to the humanity/human beings. Now everywhere is corruption . . . . . . . more
Sep 22
"with the consent & consensus of the people" Instead it was strongly opposed. Besides political objections, over 100 Kerala lawyers sent a resolution to the President, requesting him not to go through with it. Democracy failed. more
Sep 19
Jagdishji, the constitutional arrangement, of appointment of Governor, which continues during the pleasure of the President, is a sound one. The reason why its not delivering, for the benefit of the public, and being used to serve the narrow ends of the ruling party, is because of gross misuse, of the constitutional institutions, and dilution of ethical values; akin to a top grade limousine being converted into a bullock cart!? I agree with you Agarwalji, its only marketing and little or no service to the people. Prakeshji, thanks for appreciating my post. more
Sep 18
