CPI(M) expresses concern on CJI’s observation that judiciary’s independence was at risk from Centre’s political over-reach

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State Committee has taken a serious note of the Supreme Court Chief Justice Ujal Bhuyan’s concern about the political executive intruding into the judiciary’s independence. CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan said the Chief Justice’s worrying observation about the government whittling down the judiciary’s independence should concern every citizen.

“The Justice had obliquely referred to the Supreme Court Collegium rescinding its decision in October last to transfer Athul Sreedharan, a justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, to the Chhattisgarh High Court at the Central Government’s request. The decision has opened the door for the Central Government to bend the SC collegium to its will”, he said.

Mr. Govindan said Mr. Sreedharan had become a thorn in the side of Madhya Pradesh’s BJP Government. “Mr Sreedharan, a Malayalee, had hauled up Vijay Shah, an MP and Minister, for disparaging army spokeswoman Colonel Sofia Quereshi, who briefed the media on Operation Sindoor, on religious lines. He had also ruled against illegal detentions by the Jammu and Kashmir administration”, he added.