Editor's Pick: Kiren Rijiju’s fresh salvo against judiciary

Amid the ongoing battle between the executive and the judiciary over judicial appointments, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said it was a matter of “grave concern” that the Supreme Court Collegium put certain portions of sensitive reports of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in the public domain. Intelligence agency officials, who work in a secret manner, will “think twice” in future if their reports are made public, Mr. Rijiju said in response to questions on the Collegium resolutions that contained portions of the IB and RAW reports regarding some advocates who were recommended for appointment as HC judges. On being asked if he would “sensitise” Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud to it, he said, “The honourable Chief Justice and I meet so often. We are always in touch. He is the head of the Judiciary and I am the bridge between the government and the judiciary so we have to work together. You cannot work in isolation.” The Law Minister also stressed that matters of appointments were an administrative matter, and government functionaries commenting on issues such as the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) did not amount to lowering the dignity of the Judiciary. Mr. Rijiju’s criticism of the Collegium, however, sharply contrasts with the Centre’s push for transparency in the judicial appointments process during the NJAC case eight years ago. The NJAC judgment records how the government lampooned the Collegium system for its secrecy while arguing that the NJAC would “bring about critically desirable transparency, commitment and participation of the ultimate stakeholders — the people”. In fact, the 2015 judgment saw the Constitution Bench acknowledge that “transparency is a vital factor in constitutional governance”, but also cautioned the government that “transparency is not a one-way street”. Here’s a video analysis of the ongoing tussle over the appointment of judges. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Tuesday took a swipe at Mr. Rijiju over his remarks that the government has not taken a single step to undermine the judiciary, asking whether his “controversial statements” were meant to strengthen it. Mr. Sibal’s remarks came a day after the Union Minister said there can be a difference of opinion between the government and the judiciary but that does not mean the two are attacking each other. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor’s Pick and more. Click here. The Hindu’s Editorials A chance for peace: On Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer Quick exit: On India’s loss at hockey World Cup The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Who replaced Jacinda Ardern as the head of labour party and the Prime Minister of New Zealand? Chris Hipkins Peter Dutton Anthony Albanese Richard Marles To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here [logo] Editor's Pick 25 JANUARY 2023 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( Kiren Rijiju’s fresh salvo against judiciary Amid the [ongoing battle]( between the executive and the judiciary over judicial appointments, Union Law Minister [Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said]( it was a matter of “grave concern” that the Supreme Court Collegium put certain portions of sensitive reports of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in the public domain. Intelligence agency officials, who work in a secret manner, will “think twice” in future if their reports are made public, Mr. Rijiju said in response to questions on the Collegium resolutions that contained portions of the IB and RAW [reports regarding some advocates]( who were recommended for appointment as HC judges. On being asked if he would “sensitise” Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud to it, he said, “The honourable Chief Justice and I meet so often. We are always in touch. He is the head of the Judiciary and I am the bridge between the government and the judiciary so we have to work together. You cannot work in isolation.” The Law Minister also stressed that [matters of appointments]( were an administrative matter, and government functionaries commenting on issues such as the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) did not amount to lowering the dignity of the Judiciary. Mr. Rijiju’s criticism of the Collegium, however, [sharply contrasts with the Centre’s push for transparency]( in the judicial appointments process [during the NJAC case eight years ago](. The NJAC judgment records how the[government lampooned the Collegium system for its secrecy]( arguing that the NJAC would “bring about critically desirable transparency, commitment and participation of the ultimate stakeholders — the people”. In fact, the 2015 judgment saw the Constitution Bench acknowledge that “transparency is a vital factor in constitutional governance”, but also cautioned the government that “transparency is not a one-way street”. [Here’s a video analysis]( the ongoing tussle over the appointment of judges. Meanwhile, [Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Tuesday took a swipe at Mr. Rijiju]( over his remarks that the government has not taken a single step to undermine the judiciary, asking whether his “controversial statements” were meant to strengthen it. Mr. Sibal’s remarks came a day after [the Union Minister said]( there can be a difference of opinion between the government and the judiciary but that does not mean the two are attacking each other. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor’s Pick and more. [Click here](. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][A chance for peace: On Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer]( [Arrow][Quick exit: On India’s loss at hockey World Cup]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Who replaced Jacinda Ardern as the head of labour party and the Prime Minister of New Zealand? - Chris Hipkins - Peter Dutton - Anthony Albanese - Richard Marles To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here]( Are you a book lover looking for your next literary adventure? Look no further than “The Hindu On Books” weekly newsletter! We scour the shelves to bring you the best new releases and hidden gems in all genres. 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