[Appointment Of Judges] Can't Close Eyes And Accept Recommendations Made By Collegium: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju

The Union Law and Justice Minister Law Minister Kiren Rijiju today told the Lok Sabha that the Union Government can't close its eyes and blindly accept the recommendations made by the Supreme Court collegium for appointments to the High Court and Supreme Court.

Essentially, the Union Law Minister was answering a question raised by an MP as to why the Centre doesn't approve of certain names suggested by the Collegium. Responding to the query, he said that if the Union Government feels that certain candidates are not deserving and he/she ought not to be appointed as a Judge, then such names are not approved.

"Judges work a lot. They should not be attacked with bad words. It is not the case, that cases are not being settled but understand that double the number of cases are being filed every day. From minor to major issues, all matters are reaching Courts" Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said.

"Sometimes judges settle 200-300 cases per day," Union Law and Justice Minister Law Minister heaped praise on Justice SS Shinde (then a Judge of Bombay High Court) led bench who sat from 10.30 am to 8 pm on June 10, 2022 and heard over 190 cases.

Union Law Minister Rijiju also told the Lok Sabha said the Government's view on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was clear and it was reflective of the sentiments of the people of the Country.

Recently, he had said in the LokSabha that the government doesn't have any plan to implement a uniform civil code (UCC) in the country as of now citing writ petitions pending in the Supreme Court on the matter.

It may be noted that today, the Lok Sabha passed The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Bill seeks to extend statutory cover to already functioning Family courts in Himachal Pradesh & Nagaland; & retrospectively validates all actions taken by the Govts & the Family Courts of these states.