December 21, 2022
Saugata Roy’s Zero Hour mention in the Lok Sabha on 21.12 22 on the conflict between the executive and the judiciary
Sir, there is a growing conflict between the Government, that is, the Executive and the higher judiciary. This has been triggeredि byि theि Lawि Minister’sि sharpि criticismि ofि theि collegiumि systemि ofि appointment of judges. TheिLawिMinister’sिstatementsिareिdisturbingिandिinappropriateिbecauseि they relate to the way the court should function. He has suggested that judges should not have too many vacations. He has said this because he does not have any idea of the workload and the pressure judges undergo, which also impact their health. The Law Minister also said that the SC should not hear bail pleas and frivolous PILs. Not hearing bail pleas will be taking away the Fundamental Rights enshrined in article 21. सर, मैंनेतवर्षय रख तदया है। मैंतसफग एक तमनट ही बोल ंगा। If they take away the PIL facility, which gives justice to the common people, it will be taking away the facility that was given by Justice P.N. Bhagwati. We think we should not allow the Government to be the final arbiter on the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and the High Courts. Making such statements by the Government through the Law Minister does not augur well. There can be a difference of opinion but to comment on the functioning of the Supreme Court is unacceptable. I would like the Government to find a solution to these impasses that are developing.
