India's Supreme Court Rejects Law on Government's Appointments of New Judges

 

On Friday, India's Supreme Court rejected a new law that gives the government more power in the appointment of Judges.

 

It held that the NJAC Bill interferes with the independence of the Judiciary. The Court described the law as "unconstitutional", remarking that the bill paved way for the creation of National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) comprising judges and senior politicians.

 

This development implies that the current method of selecting judges by a collegium – a group of five senior judges – would continue. 

 

However, the members of parliament in India have argued that the collegium system was neither transparent nor accountable, and wants it to be changed.

 

With the rejection by the Supreme Court, it is believed by some that this may set off a rift between the executive and judiciary.