New Delhi : Noted jurist Ram Jethmalani, on Friday, told the Supreme Court that decisions of apex court collegium regarding appointment and transfer of judges for the higher judiciary were being “frustrated by politicians”.
Jethmalani made the submission before a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice A R Dave while seeking to intervene on behalf of an advocate from the Gujarat Bar Association in the ongoing proceedings relating to the appointment of judges for higher judiciary.
Referring to the matter pertaining to transfer and alleged “conduct” of Justice M R Shah of the Gujarat High Court, he said the situation there was “too bad”, but did not elaborate. “The collegium’s decisions are being frustrated by the politicians,” Jethmalani said in his brief submission and added that he needed to go to attend Parliament.
The bench, after hearing his submissions, allowed the application seeking intervention in the matter. The applicant has also sought a direction to the Centre to take immediate steps to facilitate filling up of the existing vacancies of judges in the higher judiciary.
Meanwhile, during the day, the bench while hearing the main matter relating to appointment of judges said that it has not accepted the Centre’s stand of rejecting 43 names recommended by the apex court collegium for their appointment as judges of various high courts; these have been sent back for reconsideration. –PTI
