No Proposal To Reintroduce Judicial Appointments Commission: Law Minister

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court of India criticised the Centre over the delay in judicial appointments.

Union Minister of Law Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that there is no proposal to reintroduce the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) with suitable modifications.

While responding to several questions raised by politicians Mallikarjun Kharge and Dr John Bittas in Parliament, the Law and Justice Minister said that the appointment of the judges of the Constitutional Courts is a continuous, integrated, and collaborative process between the Executive and the Judiciary.

Mr 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.

Mr 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 High Court Judges recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium pending with the government."