JD(U) urges Centre to take cognizance of CJI's appeal on judges' appointment

The Janata Dal (United) on Tuesday advised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to take cognizance of Chief Justice of India (CJI) T.S. Thakur's remarks on the appointment of judges while asking it to act on it.

Former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav said that the CJI is not speaking in the regard for the first time and it is high time that the Centre addresses his concern to end the enormous pendency of cases.

"The collegiums had sent a huge list of names of judges. The pendency of cases is grave, the condition of appointment is bad. And the chief justice is not speaking for the first time, the government should pay attention to the demand of the chief justice," said Yadav.

"This is a grave issue and this shows that the government's relationship with the judiciary are not okay and this is not good," he added.

Thakur launched a scathing attack on the government yesterday, accusing it of bringing the judiciary to a standstill by stalling the appointment of judges to high courts.

Justice Thakur cracked the whip after finding that his tearful appeal in April to the government to speed up appointments had not worked.

"This logjam in appointment of judges to HCs is unacceptable . There is a stage when we have to ask for accountability. Where is the file stuck? We will call for an explanation for the concerned official to understand the reason for delay. The institution cannot be brought to a grinding halt. The government must tell us what is the problem," he said.

"I was hoping that there would be talks about justice, about the appointment of judges. These days, cases are piling up and so are people's expectations, which is making things very difficult. Which is why I have time and again made this request that attention be given to this matter as well," he added.

The Supreme Court on Friday had slammed the Narendra Modi-led government accusing it of "sitting over" judges' appointments.

The Chief Justice sought a reply from Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi over the delay in appointment of judges as recommended by the collegium.

He said, "Don't force us to pass orders to remove the logjam".

The apex court asserted that time has come to take judicial note of appointments and transfers, which have not been made despite the collegiums' clearance eight months ago.

Regarding the collegium, the apex court stated that 75 names of high court judges have been cleared, but have not been approved.

"The vacancies in high courts have increased to 43 percent when the pendency in high courts has reached to four million cases. If the government has any objection on the names, it should be sent back to the collegiums with relevant matter, but the process can't be stalled," the court observed.