Check, do not cross

Context:

• The demands of the central government for a say in the appointment of judges and questioning the collegium system remained an issue more than a decade now.

The demands raised by the government:

• Role of executive: The Union Law Minister has requested that the executive be given a role in the appointment process.
• Formation of a search-and-evaluation committee: With the Government representatives, to suggest names to the collegiums in the High Courts and the Supreme Court for appointments, there must be a committee for consultation.
• For a representative of the Union government: The Supreme Court collegium, and a State government’s representative in the High Court collegiums must be included as asked by the central government.