Left pitches for a National Judicial Commission

In the light of Supreme Court striking down National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act, Left parties today made a strong pitch for having a National Judicial Commission for appointment of judges.
"The verdict maintains the status quo. This means the existing collegium will elect the judges. It amounts to judges appointing, promoting judges and transferring judges. This collegium system...There were several questions raised with regard to (its) transparency and accountability.
"That is where the demand for constitution of National Judicial Commission - an independent body, independent of judiciary and executive for this purpose. Now Parliament will have to think of having a National Judicial Commission," CPI national secretary D Raja said.

CPI(M) said the collegium of judges is not a democratic process even as it maintained "any process which gives the executive the opportunity to determine the selection of judges is detrimental to the integrity and independence of the judiciary."
"NJAC constituted by the earlier law was not satisfactory in terms of its representative character and independent status. Taking the opportunity of this judgment (by the apex court), Parliament should enact fresh legislation to constitute a National Judicial Commission which is more broad-based and representative," it said in a statement.