In one of his most hard-hitting speeches, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said on Sunday that popular majority is not a defence for the government to take any arbitrary actions and that every action is mandatorily required to comply with the Constitution.
His comments come at a time when differences between executive and judiciary rage on several issues, especially the way bills are being passed by parliament.
Chief Justice Ramana also noted very significantly that there is a growing tendency to disregard, and even disrespect court orders by the executive.
The CJI also questioned the manner in which various bills are being passed in the parliament. “No impact assessment or basic scrutiny of constitutionality before passing of legislation. Why are standing committee system not being put to optimum use?” he asked in blunt comments on one of the raging issues.
As petitions challenging various Acts continue to clog courts, CJI Ramana expressed concern at the lack of foresightedness in legislation.
The head of the Indian judiciary also lashed out against the wrong notion that collegium system means- “judges appoint judges.”
Slamming media trials, CJI Ramana also said it cannot be a guiding factor in deciding case.
