The nomination to the Rajya Sabha of the recently retired former Chief
Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi is yet another very dark day for India’s
Judiciary. With the BJP wanting to overpower the Judiciary, there is a very
disturbing disquiet over the slippery slope on which judicial values are
sadly slithering.
We all saw how then Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam who within weeks
of his retirement was rewarded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an
appointment on 31st August 2014 as the Governor of Kerala. We will soon
know what reward Supreme Judge Arun Mishra who retires this 2nd September
is bestowed for having recently gone well overboard in publicly eulogizing
Narendra Modi.
The Judiciary should never be manned by persons who are tilted or aligned
to any political party. Judges should have the spine to crack on
illegalities done by all politicians, regardless of how high positions they
hold. It has to be ensured that judicial accountability is maintained at
all times with every Judge conforming to the highest
standards of uprightness and integrity.
The Constitution of India is very clear on the distinct roles
of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. It envisages a free, fair and
independent Judiciary. To ensure the highest standards of judicial
independence at all times and to ward off even the faintest trace of
governmental influence on the judiciary, there needs to be at least a two
year “cooling off period" for retiring judges before they accept any post
retirement position.
Aires Rodrigues
Advocate High Court
C/G-2, Shopping Complex
Ribandar Retreat,
Ribandar – Goa – 403006
Mobile No: 9822684372
Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012
Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com
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