Picture : Twitter/ ANI
Minister of Law Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that there is no such proposal to reintroduce the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) with suitable modifications.
As per ANI report, While responding to the several questions raised by politicians Mallikarjun Kharge and Dr John Bittas in Parliament, Law and Justice Minister said, the appointment of the Judges of the Constitutional Courts is a continuous, integrated and collaborative process between the Executive and the Judiciary.
Rijiju also said that the appointments of judges require consultation and approval from various constitutional authorities both at the state and central levels. Government appoints only those persons as Judges of High Courts who are recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium.
Giving the details, Rijiju said, “As on December 5, 2022, there is one proposal for the appointment of a Supreme Court Judge and eight proposals for the appointment of the High Court’s Judges recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium are pending with the Government.”
“Further, there are eleven proposals for the transfer of High Court Judges, one proposal for the transfer of a Chief Justice and one proposal for the appointment of the Chief Justice of a High Court recommended by the Supreme Court under consideration of the Government,” he said.
Rijiju also said that a total of 256 proposals have been remitted by the Government to the High Courts.
“During the last five years, a total of 256 proposals have been remitted by the Government to the High Courts. The proposals are remitted to the concerned High Courts on the advice of the Supreme Court Collegium,” he added.
On the question of the number of vacancies as of the date in the Supreme Court and High Court, the Law minister stated that as on December 5 against the sanctioned strength of 34 Judges, 27 Judges are working in the Supreme Court leaving seven vacancies.
“In the High Courts, against the sanctioned strength of 1108, 778 Judges are working leaving 330 vacancies,” he added.
