Here’s a look at the timeline of events in the past two years since the NJAC act was enacted. Resistance to implement the Act carries on.
First, a move to replace the cosy collegium
NJAC Act was enacted in December 2014 to replace the two-decade old Collegium system of appointing judges to the higher judiciary with a panel comprising the CJI, two SC judges, Law Minister and two eminent persons.
Apex Court judges against cessation of Collegium
On Oct 16, 2015, SC struck down the Act passed by Parliament delivering a 4-1 verdict favouring continuing with the Collegium system, in which the executive would have no role at all in appointing judges
SC tells Centre to Draft MoP for appointment of judges
In the face of a standoff with the govt, the Court advised it to frame a draft Memorandum of Procedure (MOP) for future appointments in the higher judiciary. MOP was to be an improvement on the Collegium
The day when CJI broke down in front of the PM
On April 24 this year, CJI TS Thakur broke down in front of PM Modi at a conference and lamented “inaction” by the executive in increasing the number of judges. He urged the PM to ‘rise to the occasion’.
One for Openness
“It is clear that there is a complete comity of purpose between the judiciary and the political-executive in the matter of selection and appointment of High Court Judges. As views are exchanged in writing, views and counterviews are in black and white. Nothing happens secretly…,” said Justice J S Khehar, heading the five-judge Constitution bench.