Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal evaded a direct response on Thursday regarding plans to introduce a bill that would replace the current Collegium system with a National Judicial Appointments Committee (NJAC).
During a session in the Rajya Sabha, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) member Sasmit Patra inquired about the government’s intentions to propose a new NJAC Bill. While Mr. Meghwal provided a comprehensive explanation of the objectives and framework of the previously invalidated NJAC legislation, he strategically avoided a definitive answer about its reintroduction.
The Law Minister recounted the legislative history of judicial appointment reforms, mentioning that the Constitution (Ninety-Ninth Amendment) Act, 2014, along with the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014, were originally enacted to create a “more broad-based, transparent, and accountable appointment mechanism,” aimed at enhancing objectivity in the process. These acts were, however, declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on October 16, 2015, reinstating the previous Collegium system.
The topic has gained additional interest following recent controversies, including the discovery of half-burnt currency notes at the official residence of a Delhi High Court judge, which sparked debates about the transparency and effectiveness of the current appointment system.
As the legal community and political observers continue to speculate, the government’s next moves regarding judicial reforms remain a focal point of discussion.
