Collegium

The Supreme Court Colleg...

There is a rainbow on the cover of this issue of India Legal. When our editorial team sat to discuss how best to illustrate the theme of our latest cover story, we unanimously invoked the rainbow—the Indradhanush. Why? Because nature in no other form depicts its “vibgyor” colours more emphatically than in the vibrant arc that cuts a swathe across the skies after a rain.

Government’s objection to Saurabh Kirpal’s appointment as a High Court judge because of his sexual orientation goes against the Constitution. Should a lesson be learnt from diverse benches of the UK and US judiciaries?

The government seems to be upping the ante in its bid to make itself a participant in the judges’ appointment process. Recently, the Union law minister had suggested that collegium accommodate few of government nominees. The constant comments, suggestions and criticisms against the collegium system has taken the shape of power politics. Eminent law scholar Prof Upendra Baxi spoke to India Legal and explained the chess game of constitutional politics and power.

As pressure bears on the judiciary for its constitutional verdicts and collegium system, Justice VS Sirpurkar, a former SC judge, says that democracy is not in danger as the constitutional bedrock is strong. He spoke to India Legal on Constitution, collegium and judges’ appointments.

This week’s cover story is part of our continuing reportage on a subject that is perhaps the most explosive constitutional showdown since the Founding Fathers, in 1950, framed the principles, laws, rules and regulations within whose framework the institutions of the newly-founded Indian Republic are designed and meant to function.

As the centre’s calls for reforms in the system get strident, questions of primacy of the executive over the judiciary have raised concerns. Objections by the executive betray a sense of insecurity.

Union Law Minister ...

  Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has again stirred up the Hornet's Nest by passing adverse comments against the Supreme Court Collegium system, which is responsible for the appointment and transfer of judges of High Courts and the Apex Court.  

The Supreme Court colleg...