Justice Ujjal Bhuyan Questions Opaque Collegium Recommendations

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, a Supreme Court judge, has expressed serious concerns over the lack of transparency in judicial appointments. He questioned the recent practice of the Supreme Court Collegium issuing recommendations for the elevation of judges without disclosing the reasons behind its decisions.

Speaking at the launch of Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy's JALDI report, The Judicial Transparency Index, Justice Bhuyan asked whether the judiciary was taking a step back from the principle of transparency by omitting reasons in its latest Collegium resolutions. He noted that earlier Collegium resolutions recommending judges for elevation typically contained at least brief explanations, even if they were formulaic or appeared repetitive.

However, he said the last three Collegium resolutions recommending judicial appointments were issued without any reasons whatsoever. Questioning the shift, he said the move raised concerns about whether the institution was retreating from its commitment to transparency.

Justice Bhuyan emphasized the importance of openness in judicial appointments, saying citizens have the right to know who is being elevated to constitutional courts and the work that justifies their selection. He stressed that information relating to judges and the nature of their judgments should remain in the public domain, adding that transparency strengthens public confidence in the judiciary.

The lack of reasons, according to Justice Bhuyan, hurts the merit of deserving judges by failing to acknowledge their outstanding judicial work. At the same time, he warned that the absence of transparency could create room for less suitable candidates to enter the judiciary.

Justice Bhuyan drew comparisons with previous practices, citing Collegium resolutions issued during the tenure of former Chief Justice U.U. Lalit, which contained more detailed reasoning. He also referred to the January 18, 2023 Collegium resolution reiterating the recommendation of Saurabh Kirpal for appointment to the Delhi High Court, describing it as an example of a recommendation backed by convincing and well-articulated reasons.

Justice Bhuyan's comments highlight the need for greater transparency in the Collegium system. The judiciary must ensure that its decisions are made in a transparent and accountable manner, to maintain public trust and confidence.

The issue of transparency in judicial appointments is crucial, as it affects the integrity and credibility of the judiciary. The Collegium system, which is responsible for appointing judges to higher courts, must be transparent and accountable to ensure that the best candidates are selected for the job.

In conclusion, Justice Bhuyan's comments serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency in judicial appointments. The judiciary must take steps to ensure that its decisions are made in a transparent and accountable manner, to maintain public trust and confidence.

The call for greater transparency in the Collegium system is not new, but it is an issue that requires urgent attention. The judiciary must ensure that its decisions are made in a fair and transparent manner, to maintain the integrity and credibility of the institution.

Ultimately, the issue of transparency in judicial appointments is a matter of public interest, and the judiciary must be accountable to the people. By ensuring that its decisions are made in a transparent and accountable manner, the judiciary can maintain public trust and confidence, and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.

The need for transparency in judicial appointments is a pressing issue, and one that requires immediate attention. The judiciary must take steps to ensure that its decisions are made in a transparent and accountable manner, to maintain the integrity and credibility of the institution.

In the end, the call for greater transparency in the Collegium system is a call for greater accountability and fairness in the judiciary. It is a call that must be answered, to ensure that the judiciary remains a trusted and respected institution in our democracy.