New Delhi: Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday defended the collegium system of appointing judges, saying not every system is perfect but it is the best system available. Speaking at the India Today Conclave, 2023, the CJI said that to keep the judiciary independent, it has to be protected from external influences.
“Not every system is perfect but it is the best system we have developed. But the aim was to protect the independence of the judiciary, which is a core value. We have to keep the judiciary separate from external influences if the judiciary is to be kept independent,” he said.
The CJI expressed displeasure over the government not approving the names recommended by the Supreme Court collegium to Law Minister Kiren Rijiju as judges of constitutional courts.
“What is wrong in having a difference in perception? But, I have to deal with such differences in the spirit of strong constitutional politics. I don’t want to link issues with the law minister, we are bound by differences of perception.”