Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday questioned the involvement of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in executive appointments, particularly in the selection of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director.
Speaking at the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal, Dhankhar expressed concerns over judicial overreach, stating that &ldquo;executive governance by judiciary is being frequently noticed and discussed in all quarters.&rdquo; He argued that such involvement does not align with democratic principles and needs to be reconsidered.
&ldquo;The line between judicial activism and overreach is thin, but its impact on democracy is significant,&rdquo; Dhankhar said. &ldquo;How can the CJI, by statutory prescription, participate in selecting the CBI Director? Can there be any legal rationale for it?&rdquo;
He attributed the current framework to executive compliance with judicial verdicts but stressed that it is time for a review. Dhankhar emphasized that democracy thrives on &ldquo;coordinated autonomy&rdquo; among institutions rather than institutional isolation.
Highlighting the importance of accountability, he stated that executive roles are meant to be performed by elected governments, which are answerable to both the legislature and the electorate. &ldquo;If executive governance is outsourced, accountability enforcement will be weakened,&rdquo; he warned.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates over the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive in India&rsquo;s constitutional framework.
VP Dhankhar Questions CJI&rsquo;s Role in Executive Appointments
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday questioned the involvement of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in executive appointments, particularly in the selection of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director.
Speaking at the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal, Dhankhar expressed concerns over judicial overreach, stating that &ldquo;executive governance by judiciary is being frequently noticed and discussed in all quarters.&rdquo; He argued that such involvement does not align with democratic principles and needs to be reconsidered.
&ldquo;The line between judicial activism and overreach is thin, but its impact on democracy is significant,&rdquo; Dhankhar said. &ldquo;How can the CJI, by statutory prescription, participate in selecting the CBI Director? Can there be any legal rationale for it?&rdquo;
He attributed the current framework to executive compliance with judicial verdicts but stressed that it is time for a review. Dhankhar emphasized that democracy thrives on &ldquo;coordinated autonomy&rdquo; among institutions rather than institutional isolation.
Highlighting the importance of accountability, he stated that executive roles are meant to be performed by elected governments, which are answerable to both the legislature and the electorate. &ldquo;If executive governance is outsourced, accountability enforcement will be weakened,&rdquo; he warned.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates over the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive in India&rsquo;s constitutional framework.
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Says, 'If executive governance is outsourced, accountability enforcement will be weakened'

VP Dhankhar Questions CJI’s Role in Appointments

Says, 'If executive governance is outsourced, accountability enforcement will be weakened'

February 15, 2025 | 11:21 IST