Brazen effort of govt to undermine independence of judiciary: CPIM on former CJI's nomination to RS

The CPI(M) on Tuesday hit out at the government over the nomination of Ranjan Gogoi, former chief justice of India (CJI), to Rajya Sabha and said that it was a "brazen" effort to undermine the independence of the judiciary.

Gogoi, who headed benches that pronounced several key judgements including in the sensitive Ayodhya land dispute case, was on Monday nominated to Rajya Sabha by the government.

He also led the benches that ruled on matters like Rafale fighter jet deal and entry of women in Sabarimala temple.

"By nominating the former CJI to the Rajya Sabha, the Modi government is brazenly undermining the independence of the judiciary and subverting the separation of powers between the organs of the State, which is an inviolable principle enshrined in our constitutional scheme," the Left party said in a statement.

The party also quoted Gogoi's statement last year where he had observed, "There is a strong viewpoint that post-retirement appointment is a scar on independence of judiciary."