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The government’s reasons for not clearing the name of Justice K.M. Joseph for appointment as Supreme Court judge are not convincing. Whether the government likes it or not, the perception is that his judgment in the Uttarakhand case may have been a key factor. Judges are expected to decide matters on merit and governments cannot expect favourable rulings merely because the judiciary and the executive are arms of the state. It is surprising to hear of the “seniority” factor being invoked suddenly. There are numerous examples where judges of High Courts have been elevated despite not being “senior-most” at an all-India level. The manner and context in which the collegium’s recommendation has been treated by the executive raises concern about growing threats to the independence of the judiciary.

P. Arihanth,

Secunderabad

Allegations of judicial corruption, Judge B.H. Loya’s mysterious demise followed by case-related occurrences, the botched attempt to impeach the Chief Justice of India and now hurdles before Justice Joseph’s elevation are episodes in a timeline that mirror the crisis at hand. Unless the master of the roster chooses to see with open eyes the growing cracks in the pillars of the judiciary and take remedial steps expeditiously, the common man will be forced to accept the view that everything is going wrong with the judiciary.

Victor Frank A.

Chennai