Expect everyone to respect the verdict: CJI on Centre's criticism of scrapping of NJAC Act

Chief Justice of India HL Dattu breaks his silence on the government's criticism of the collegium system- tells CNN-IBN that he expects the government to respect and accept the supreme court's verdict

Days after the Central government voiced its criticism to the Supreme Court's verdict of scrapping of the National Judicial Appointment Act (NJAC Act) for the appointment of judges, Chief Justice of India HL Dattu has broken his silence.

"Everybody has a viewpoint and it is their right to express it. However, I expect them to respect and accept the verdict," he said.

Dattu also said that the judiciary is open to suggestion to improve the collegium system.

The government had slammed the judgement by the apex court to restore the collegium system of appointment of judges effectively declaring the NJAC Act null and void.

Jaitley had recently on his Facebook page said that while the judiciary has upheld the primacy of one basic structure - independence of judiciary - it has diminished five other basic structures of the Constitution, namely, Parliamentary democracy, an elected Government, the Council of Ministers, an elected Prime Minister and the elected Leader of the Opposition.

He said that the Indian democracy cannot be a 'tyranny of unelected' and questioned whether other institutions where appointments are made by elected representatives not credible enough.