Bar Council of India (BCI) today opposed the National Judicial Appointment Commission Bill for looking into appointment and transfer of judges saying it is not in favour of outside interference in the issue and warned that it will take away the independence of judiciary.
"We are totally against this National Judicial Appointment Commission Bill because of the fact that in the process of appointment of judges, we do not want any interference from any outsider, including the executive," BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said.
The bill proposes formation of a commission, comprising the Law Minister and a member nominated by Union Executive, Leader of Opposition, apart from the Chief Justice of India and two Supreme Court judges, to replace the present collegium system.
The proposed commission would also look into appointment of judges, their transfers and cases of misconduct against them.
The BCI demanded that the bill be dropped as it is being sought to be implemented "hastily" and it will also take away the independence of judiciary.
BCI chairman said that the members of the council, along with representatives of all state bar councils, will stage a protest against the bill at Rajghat tomorrow.
"We do not say existing collegium does not have demerits. It does require improvement. But inserting outsiders in the form of executive would be disastrous for the country and the ordinary litigants," Mishra said.
He added that the executive and those, who would be a part of the proposed commission to replace collegium system, could act in an advisory capacity to suggest the names to be appointed to higher judiciary.
