Justice Karnan of Madras High Court writes to CJI flaying collegium system

Chennai, Jun 11: Controversial Judge of the Madras High Court Justice C S Karnan today wrote to the Chief Justice of India criticising the collegium system of judges appointing judges and alleged that the Madras HC collegium had operated in an "autocratic manner."

Mentioning media reports about the discussion on the collegium system, Karnan, in his letter, alleged that the Madras High Court Collegium has operated in an 'autocratic manner' and 'disturbed his mind and judicial work.'

He charged the collegium is wielding absolute power and hence acting on its own views or whims and fancies. Commending the union government, he said it has rightly amended the Bill which resulted in formation of the National Judicial Commission.

He said that the union government's stand is "most appropriate for the functioning of the judiciary in an unfettered manner and to render justice." Copies of the letter were sent by Justice Karnan to the President, the Prime Minister, the Union Law Minister and the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.

PTI