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."
"The recent delays in delivery of justice, midnight transfers of high court judges and the delay in taking up the challenges to abrogation of Article 370 and the CAA have not evoked confidence among the people and are not in consonance with their legitimate expectations," it said, urging President Ram Nath Kovind to rescind Gogoi's nomination.
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The CPI in a statement demanded that a law banning all top government and judicial officers to hold any post of profit for some period after their retirement be enacted.
Like the CPI(M), the CPI too invoked an earlier statement made by Gogoi on post retirement posts.
"The present nomination of former chief justice puts the credibility of judicial system in dock," it said.
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