Nepotism And Casteism Rule The Roost In Judicial Appointments Alleges Allahabad HC Judge In Letter To PM

Alleging "nepotism and casteism", in the appointment of judges to High Courts and Supreme Court, Allahabad High Court Judge Rang Nath Pandey has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports Zee News.

"Unfortunately, the judiciary in India is under the heavy influence of nepotism and casteism. Belonging to a family of judges gives one a sure shot entry to being the next in line. The prevalent norm is nepotism and casteism," wrote Pandey.

Alleging that selection of judges is done in an arbitrary manner by senior judges in closed-door meetings over a cup of tea, Pandey wrote, "In this entire process, secrecy of the highest order is maintained and the names of the new judges are made public only after the entire appointment process is completed. Hence, no one can know the parameters on which a judge has been elevated."

Asserting that the proposed National Judicial Appointments Commission would have brought transparency in the appointment process, Pandey said that the manner in which the senior judges proactively turned down the proposal, citing 'independence of the judiciary' was an eye-opener.