Judge slams SC Collegium for being 'secretive'

Taking a swipe at the Supreme Court Collegium, High Court Judge D V Shylendra Kumar, known for his outspoken comments on judiciary, has questioned its manner of functioning accusing it of being “secretive” in selection of judges and “blissfully remaining insensitive to public opinion”.

In sharp comments, the judge said the manner of functioning of the collegium has drawn flak from all sections of society and was a “matter of shame” with members of the public looking at such conduct with suspicion. Justice Kumar had shot into limelight after he took on Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan last year amid a raging controversy over the issue of judges making their assets public.

Subsequently, airing his views regularly on his blog, Justice Kumar has been persistently attacking Karnataka Chief Justice P D Dinakaran over his continuing to discharge administrative functions while being away from the Bench in the wake of the land grabbing controversy surrounding him.

“The manner of functioning of the collegium of the Supreme Court of India has drawn flak from all sections of society and it is a matter of utmost concern and even a matter of shame for the members of the judiciary...,” he said. The collegium was not only “blissfully remaining insensitive” to public opinion/reaction, but also playing “GOD by not responding”, he said in his latest posting on his blog.