On 12th May the Supreme Court of India will get Justice S.H.Kapadia as the new Chief Justice. India’s first dalit Chief Justice, K.G. Balakrishnan, will retire after a reasonably long three and half year’s tenure. Some of his predecessors had shorter terms with Justice S. Rajendra Babu holding the Chief Justice’s post for just a month.
The new Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia will have a two and half year term and will have to strive to ensure that there is in place a system that will ensure transparency in the selection of Judges to the High Courts and the Supreme Court. The current procedure for selecting Supreme and High Court judges lacks transparency and is shrouded in much secrecy. Parameters must be laid down for the selection process so that only the best and brightest filter through. Only the right persons with the highest integrity should preside over the temples of Justice. Recently the outstanding Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Mr. AP Shah retired with a deep sense of hurt. Justice Shah, the senior most High Court Chief Justice was bypassed by the Supreme Court collegium denying him elevation to the apex court. He was a victim of the existing system of judicial appointments. Justice Balakrishnan retires after having witnessed some very stormy days as Chief Justice. Amongst other issues, the Justice P.D.Dinakaran saga and the battle by the Supreme Court not to come under the purview of the Right to Information Act. Even before he has retired the current Chief Justice has already found himself another job. Justice Balakrishnan will be the new Chief of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Let us wish him well. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar
