Politics have no part in judicial appointments

Chennai, Mar 13 (UNI) Politics have no part in judicial appointments, which have to be on merit alone and no other considerations, Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal said today.

Replying to felicitations by Advocate General N R Chandran and other senior counsel at a function organised by Madras High Court Advocates Association, Madras Bar Association, Law Association and Women Lawyers Association, he said elevation in the judiciary was a matter of honour, to be conferred on the basis of merit alone and not to be hankered after. Rule of Law was dependent on an independent bar, enlightened public opinion and independent judiciary, he added.

Justice Sabharwal said Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was a great service to the nation. Preservation of forests, human rights and other issues were moved through PILs and Courts had to be cautious while admitting PILs. It had been repeatedly said that PIL should not be converted into Publicity Interest Litigation, he added.

Court time was important and Everyone's duty was to help in utilising the time of the court for administration of cases.

Restraint was necessary as far as the PIL was concerned.

The bar had three duties - duty towards clients, courts and societies. ''We are talking about booming economy, globalisation but still the fate of millions, deprived of basic needs of living is in the dark. We have to work for it, otherwise the definition of Article 21 of the Constitution will remain only on paper'', he added.

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