Gogoi’s RS nomination challenged in top court

New Delhi, March 18

Amid criticism over former CJI Ranjan Gogoi being nominated by the President to the Rajya Sabha, noted activist Madhu Kishwar on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging it on the ground that “it compromises the independence and credibility of our judiciary at the highest levels.”

Justice Gogoi — who was nominated by President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday as a member of the Council of States against a vacancy created by resignation of senior advocate KTS Tulsi — is scheduled to take oath on Thursday.

Contending that ‘independence of judiciary’ is an essential part of the basic structure of the Constitution and a pillar of democracy, she said, “Any act which creates any adverse impression on the independence of judiciary like the present one, wherein former CJI has been nominated to Rajya Sabha, amounts to an assault on the independence of judiciary.”

She requested the top court to stay Justice Gogoi’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha. Noting that there was a restriction on employment by Chairperson and Members of Lokpal after ceasing to hold office, she said a similar restriction should be there on former judges. — TNS

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