SC judges should avoid harsh words, says Law minister in RS during debate on amendments to Aadhaar

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in Rajya Sabha Monday that the Supreme Court judges should avoid "harsh words" and referred to the observations like "constitutional fraud" in the minority judgement in the landmark Aadhaar verdict.

Replying to a debate on a bill to amend law to allow voluntary use of Aadhaar as ID proof for opening bank accounts and obtaining mobile phone connections, Prasad said the government respects apex court judges and they too should reciprocate.

"It is a remarkable minority judgment... with all humility I want to say this in the House today. We respect Supreme Court judges but use of words such as constitutional fraud should not happen," Prasad, who is also the minister for Information and Technology, said.

He did not name the judge but his comments clearly seemed in response to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh citing a 500-page dissenting judgement by Justice D Y Chandrachud on the passage of the Aadhaar Bill as a money bill in Parliament under the BJP-led government's first term.

Ramesh had quoted the judge to say that the Act "constitutes a fraud on the Constitution."
"Where did this come from," he wondered, adding he confronted the judge at the Law Day function at national capital's Vigyan Bhawan. "It is there in the judgement. And, I have to say it openly that these kinds of sweeping comments, at best, be avoided."