Govt trying to undermine judiciary's independence: Left parties on fmr CJI's nomination to RS

The Left parties on Tuesday hit out at the central government over the nomination of Ranjan Gogoi, former chief justice of India (CJI), to Rajya Sabha and termed it a "brazen" effort to undermine judiciary's independence.

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."
"The CPI(M) has earlier stated in no uncertain terms that under the constitutional scheme of things, the judiciary in India is not only independent, but has a very important role to safeguard the rule of law."