Making public the opinions of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) on candidates recommended by the Collegium for judgeship, was a matter of concern, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday.
He further said that a person, who was working with all his might for the nation, if he came to know that one day his RAW and IB files could be made public, this was a matter of concern.
Talking to reporters during an event organised to felicitate the award winners of the e-courts project, Rijiju expressed his concern over the ‘serious’ issue and said that he would speak about it one day.
Refusing to comment any further on the issue, the Union Minister chose to speak about the e-committee of the Supreme Court, applauding it for its stellar work.
He said the e-committee of the Supreme Court has been given the award for digital institutions enabling the differently-abled.
Rijiju further commended Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, stating that under his able leadership, the government has been able to do all this in coordination with him.
The Minister said that when Justice Chandrachud became the 50th CJI, he had made a special request to the latter that even after becoming the CJI, he should continue to head the Supreme Court e-committee, since phase 3 of the committee was at a crucial stage.
He added that the CJI has agreed to it.
While reiterating the names of five Advocates for elevation to various High Courts, the SC Collegium had recently made public the objections raised by the Law Ministry pertaining to three candidates.
These were Saurabh Kirpal (Delhi High Court), Somasekaran Sundaresan (Bombay High Court) and John Sathyan (Madras High Court).
The Union Minister had passed unfavourable comments against the Judges on Monday also, while attending an event at Tis Hazari Courts, organised by the Delhi Bar Association to commemorate the 74th Republic Day.
Rijiju had said that though the people could do little to appoint Judges across different High Courts and the Supreme Court, but the way these Judge functioned and delivered justice, was definitely under the scanner now.
He said that though the judges did not face elections, but nothing could remain hidden in the age of social media.
People were watching them and making assessments regarding their verdicts, added Rijiju.