Another Law To Appoint Judges? Centre Hints Towards Possible NJAC Revival Amid Justice Varma Cash Row

Last Updated:March 24, 2025, 17:44 IST

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised the issue while Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's reference to the NJAC Act is significant and indicative of the central government's future plans

Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar during a meeting with Leader of the House Jagat Prakash Nadda and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in his chamber at Parliament House in New Delhi on March 24. (Image: @VPIndia/PTI)

Amid the purported cash recovery from the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma, there is indication that the central government is mulling another law on the appointment of judges.

According to sources, it is early days yet but it looks like the Centre is not ruling out this option. What could make this easier is that the opposition, especially the Congress, is likely to be onboard with this.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised the issue on March 21 while Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s reference to the Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act is significant and indicative of the government’s future plans.

Earlier on Monday, Dhankhar called a meeting of Leader of the House JP Nadda and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in his chamber. Without naming it, he hinted at a possible revival of the NJAC Act, which was passed in 2014 but struck down by the Supreme Court the following year.

“You will recollect the mechanism passed by this House with near unanimity. I wish to find the status of that. That historic legislation endorsed by this Parliament with unprecedented consensual support dealt with the malaise. If the malaise had been dealt with perhaps we would not have countenanced such kind of issues," he said.

Sources said at this meeting, the discussion was focused on the cash found and the ongoing investigation. While a law like the NJAC Act was not discussed or finalised, the suggestion was to do more than what was there at present so as to ensure the judiciary’s image remains untarnished and is not compromised.

As of now, most of the opposition seems to be onboard about changing or tweaking the current system. An all-party meeting will soon be called by the Vice President to take the matter forward.

ALSO READ | Justice Yashwant Varma Figured In CBI And ED Case Earlier, SC Set It Aside Last Year

Justice Yashwant Varma is now subject to an inquiry after the purported discovery of a large stash of cash following a fire at his official residence, till further orders. The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Monday recommended his transfer to the Allahabad High Court, soon after the Delhi High Court withdrew work from him.

News politics Another Law To Appoint Judges? Centre Hints Towards Possible NJAC Revival Amid Justice Varma Cash Row