Goodbye Collegium system, Judicial Appointments Bill passed in Rajya Sabha as well
15 Aug 2014 6:43 AM IST
Rajya Sabha passes Judicial Bill, big win for Modi; Fali to fight Bill
File photo of Parliament. (Photo: PTI/File)
New Delhi: In a big win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Judicial Appointments Bill and 121st Constitution Amendment Bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, paving the way for scrapping the collegium system of appointments to the higher judiciary.
With all political parties supporting the measures, despite strong opposition from the judiciary, the two Bills have now been cleared by Parliament. The Bills will enable the setting up of a National Judicial Appointments Commission to appoint and transfer judges to the Supreme Court and the 24 High Courts.
Top jurist Fali S. Nariman, however, severely criticised the two Bills, that seek to overturn the present collegium system of appointing judges, saying they hit the root of judicial independence, and warned that they may be struck down by the Supreme Court.
On Thursday the Upper House approved the 121st Constitution Amendment Bill along with the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2014 a day after the Lok Sabha approved them.
The Constitution Amendment Bill was passed with 179 votes in favour out of 180 votes polled, with top lawyer Ram Jethmalani abstaining. The Appointments Commission Bill was approved by voice vote. The approval of the 245-member Upper House is significant as the NDA is in a minority there.
( Source : dc )
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