In re: Challenge to the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act

The Supreme Court of India struck down the 99th Constitutional Amendment Act and the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act as unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the legislative attempt to give the government a role in the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary violated the independence of the judiciary.

Similar Cases

Judgment delivered

Centre for Public Interest Litigation vs Union of India — Challenge to Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act

The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict regarding the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which requires prior approval before initiating investigations against public servants.

—4 sources

15 hours ago0 Watching

On trial

In re: Challenge to Form 6 procedural changes

The Supreme Court of India issued a notice to the Election Commission of India and the Centre regarding a petition challenging the unilateral changes made to Form 6, which relates to the electoral process. The petition alleges that these administrative decisions have implications for the integrity of voter registration.

—11 sources

2 days ago0 Watching

Judgment delivered

In re: Challenges to Backward Class reservations in Andhra Pradesh local body elections

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has reserved its judgment on a public interest litigation challenging the reservations provided to Backward Classes for local body elections. The state government is currently awaiting a verdict from the Supreme Court on the broader issue of these quotas, noting that delays may impact the receipt of 16th Finance Commission funds.

Andhra Pradesh2 sources

2 days ago0 Watching

News19 Oct 2015

Arun Jaitley on NJAC verdict: Democracy cannot be ‘tyranny of the unelected’

Terming as "erroneous logic" reasons given by a five-judge Constitution bench, Jaitley warned that democracy would be in danger if the "elected are...

Explanation in simple terms

What:: The Supreme Court cancelled a new law meant to change how judges are selected for higher courts.
Who:: Arun Jaitley, a government minister, criticized the court's decision, while the Supreme Court of India issued the ruling.
When:: Reported on 19 Oct 2015.
Where:: Supreme Court of India.
Why:: The court decided that the law interfered with the independence of the judiciary, while Jaitley argued that democracy must not become a tyranny of the unelected.
What it means:: The system for appointing judges that existed before the new law remains in effect.

The Indian Express

News18 Oct 2015

Arun Jaitley Questions Logic of Supreme Court Order on Judges' Appointments

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said the Supreme Court's judgment which struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission for higher judiciary was...

Explanation in simple terms

What:: Arun Jaitley criticized the reasoning used by the court when it cancelled a law about appointing judges.
Who:: Arun Jaitley is a government minister and the Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial body.
When:: Reported on 18 Oct 2015.
Where:: Supreme Court of India.
Why:: He questioned the logic behind the order to remove the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act.
What it means:: This public criticism highlights a disagreement between the government and the court regarding how judges are selected.

NDTV

News17 Oct 2015

SC Bench strikes down NJAC Act as ‘unconstitutional and void’

Declaring that the judiciary cannot risk being caught in a “web of indebtedness” towards the government, the Supreme Court on Friday rejected the National...

Explanation in simple terms

What:: The Supreme Court cancelled a new law that changed how judges are appointed to higher courts.
Who:: The Supreme Court of India is the body that made this decision regarding the National Judicial Appointments Commission.
When:: Reported on 17 Oct 2015.
Where:: Supreme Court of India.
Why:: The court decided the law was unconstitutional and void, meaning it did not follow the country's supreme rules.
What it means:: The law is no longer in effect, and the previous method for selecting judges will continue to be used.

The Hindu

News16 Oct 2015

India court strikes down law on judges' appointment

India's Supreme Court has struck down a new law that gave the government more say in appointing judges.

Explanation in simple terms

What:: The Supreme Court cancelled a law that created a new system for picking judges.
Who:: The Supreme Court of India issued the ruling regarding the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act.
When:: Reported on 16 Oct 2015.
Where:: Supreme Court of India.
Why:: The court decided the law interfered with the independence of the judiciary, which is the system of courts.
What it means:: The previous system for appointing judges remains in place instead of the new commission.

BBC News India

In re: Challenge to the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act

Case details

Updates

Similar Cases

Centre for Public Interest Litigation vs Union of India — Challenge to Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act

In re: Challenge to Form 6 procedural changes

In re: Challenges to Backward Class reservations in Andhra Pradesh local body elections

In re: Challenge to the constitutional validity of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) case — Citizenship and voter status

State of Punjab vs Union Ministry of External Affairs — Petition challenging travel clearance denial

Discussion

Arun Jaitley on NJAC verdict: Democracy cannot be ‘tyranny of the unelected’

Arun Jaitley Questions Logic of Supreme Court Order on Judges' Appointments

SC Bench strikes down NJAC Act as ‘unconstitutional and void’

India court strikes down law on judges' appointment