Selecting judges now tougher: CJI-designate

Chief Justice of India designate Justice T S Thakur today stressed on the need to fill up vacancies in courts across the country saying striking down of the recent constitutional amendment on judges appointment has made the selection task "much more difficult".
Referring to the 400 vacant positions in high courts and many more in district courts across the country as a major issue, Thakur said, "To find 400 people worthy of being elevated to this position is not an easy task."
"Chief justices and judges of the Supreme Court, while selecting people for elevation, must go strictly by the beats of their conscience rather than any consideration," he added.

Addressing the legal fraternity at a function organised to bid farewell to outgoing CJI H L Dattu, Thakur said judiciary faces its toughest challenges today as people feel it has claimed to itself the power to appoint judges but has to come up to expectations of the people so that they do not feel disappointed.
"This institution is facing its greatest challenge in recent times. Never before in our history has the institution faced challenges like the ones we are confronted with today.
"Striking down of the constitutional amendment that aimed at reforming the system has been commented upon differently at different stages. The fallout of the judgement is that it has made the job of superior courts in the country much more onerous and difficult," Justice Thakur, who will take over as the 43rd Chief Justice of India tomorrow, said.

Stressing on the need of 'Polluter Pays' principle in the

context of environment and ecology, Thakur said international laws would go a long way in addressing the problems of human race in the long run.
"When you talk of protecting the environment if you have an international law which applies 'Polluter Pays' principle then may be those who have over polluted may have to pay. This is the significance if International Law to the existence of humanity is such that if you are affected by pollution in any part of the world," he said.
Expressing a similar view, Supreme Court judge Justice A K Sikri said there are several dimensions which make international law significant.

"In last few decades, international law has assumed much importance because of international politics and the atomic age we live in. There is also a sort of race for acquiring arms by various countries.
"Terrorism is a big problem worldwide for example the recent terror incidents of Orlando and Turkey which took many lives; political developments like Brexit -- these dimensions make international law important," Justice Sikri said.
The seminar, which was held at the India Habitat Centre here, was also attended by High Court judge Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and senior advocate Soli Sorabjee, besides other legal luminaries.