RS members pitch for change in judges' appointment method

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) Members in the Rajya Sabha on
Thursday utilised the impeachment motion against Calcutta High
Court judge justice Soumitra Sen to make an impassionate call
for a change in the collegium system of appointment of judges
and favoured setting up of a National Judicial Commission.
They also expressed concern over the conduct of some
judges and suggested revisiting the process of their
appointment, including proper scrutiny before appointing them.
Setting the ball in motion in a debate on impeachment
motions against justice Sen, Leader of the Opposition, Arun
Jaitley, an eminent lawyer, said "the system of judges alone
appointing judges must now change. India needs a National
Judicial Commission to appoint judges."
He said the Commission members can be drawn from the
judiciary and executive, besides prominent citizens.
"While there is no crossing of 'Lakshman rekha' by the
executive and legislature, there is serious side-stepping from
the judiciary," Jaitley, a former Law Minister, said.

Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M), who moved the motions against
justice Sen, also favoured the setting up of a judicial
commission for judges' appointment. He said it was the
prerogative of the legislature to make laws and judges "will
interpret it".
D Raja (CPI) stressed the need for a judicial system based
on probity and integrity. "A National Judicial Commission is
required so that there could be accountability of judges," he
said, adding the nation is agitated over corruption in high
places.
Tiruchi Siva (DMK) also spoke on the need for judicial
reforms and changes in the system to appoint judges.
Bharatkumar Raut (Shiv Sena) said the system of appointing
judges through a collegium of judges needs to be looked into,
he said.
Rajneeti Prasad (RJD) said the system has to change and
unless this happens, corruption in judiciary will remain.
Kumar Deepak Das (AGP) and H K Dua (Nom) also made
similar demands.