Law Minister wants primacy of CJI in judicial appointments

New Delhi, Oct 20 : Law Minister H R Bhardwaj has said that he stood for the primacy of the Chief Justice of India and the Chief Justices of High Courts in the appointment of judges.

"I am for restoration of primacy of the Chief Justice of India in the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of High Courts in the High Courts," Bhardwaj said.

"There is no provision in the Constitution to bring in other people," he added.

Referring to suggestions from members of judiciary on having more heads than one in decision-making, Bhardwaj clarified: "I said, that is in your judicial side. I cannot discuss the judicial side. I said my Attorney General shall argue before you, you decide."

"If the CJI says he does not agree that this is a proper appointment how can you appoint such a person," the Law Minister said.

The parliamentary standing committee on law and justice had recently called for transparency in judicial appointments and suggested a relook at the in-house system of the judiciary to appoint judges through a collegium (a panel of judges).

ANI