Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has responded to the recent word of caution by the Supreme Court about adverse consequences that may follow if the Central government delays processing judicial appointments recommended by the Collegium.
The Law Minister, while speaking at the 150th anniversary of Allahabad High Court Bar Association in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh recently, said that he has come to know through media reports that the Apex Court has warned the Central government of certain consequences, however, no one can warn anyone in this country.
The comment of the consequences that may follow was sounded by a Bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Abhay S Oka who while questioning the Attorney General N Venkataramani on the proposal by Collegium for elevation of five judges to the Supreme Court.
During that time, the Apex court had been a bit disappointed of the Central government’s apparent delay in processing the Collegium recommendation, and had warned that the Court may take judicial and administrative action that would not be palatable if the delay were to continue.
Rijiju in his own style highlighted that the country belongs to its people and that the government consisted of the country’s servants who, along with others, are there to serve the nation.
The Law minister added that the government looks itself as a service provider to the nation asserting that all citizens have to be protected by the Constitution.
The Apex Court had been hearing a petition related to the delay in approving names proposed by the Collegium for appointment as High Court and Supreme Court Judges when the oral remark was made, prompting response from Rijiju.
A day after the top court’s remarks, on Saturday, the Central government notified the appointments of five new judges to the Supreme Court.
With these appointments, the working strength of the Supreme Court has risen to 32 with only two vacancies.