SC verdict on NJAC 'blow' to Centre: AAP

The party said the independence of the judiciary is under 'threat' in the present political dispensation

Aam Aadmi Party today welcomed the Supreme Court verdict holding National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) as unconstitutional, terming the decision as a "great blow" to NDA government which had brought the law.

AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said that the judgement should be welcomed as the independence of the judiciary is under "threat" in the present political dispensation.

"SC judgement on NJAC is historic. The judgement is a great blow to the Central government that is trying to make judiciary committed to itself. This govt made CJI as Governor. That was brazen," he tweeted.

The AAP leader was referring to the appointment of former Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam as the Governor of Kerala.

However, he also called for reforms in the collegium system of judges appointing judges in the higher judiciary.

"Independence of judiciary is under severe threat under present political dispensation. In that light, SC judgement on NJAC should be welcomed. But SC should create internal filters and reform collegium system to make it more credible," he said.

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court today declared as unconstitutional the law brought by the NDA government to replace the over two-decade-old collegium system of judges appointing judges in the higher judiciary.

The apex court, which quashed the NJAC Act in an unanimous verdict, also declared as unconstitutional the 99th amendment to the Constitution to bring in the Act to replace the collegium system.