Kolkata, Aug 11 (IANS): Even as Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha strongly defended the collegium system for appointment of judges, former supreme court judge A.K. Ganguly Monday said it was flawed.
"The present system of appointment of judges through the collegium is not working well. It has given rise to several controversies and best candidates are not always picked," justice Ganguly said.
There has been a growing debate over the collegium system.
The debate started after a petition was filed challenging the collegium's recommendation for Justice K.L. Manjunath's appointment as chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The petition said the secrecy of the system was bringing disrepute to the judiciary and the entire appointment process should be open to public.
However, Justice Ganguly's comments Monday came after Chief Justice of India Lodha defended the collegium system for the appointment of judges.
Ganguly also said the composition of the commission to appoint the judges must be determined by the constitution and not by parliamentary legislation.
"The judicial appointment commission must be consisting of eminent people who are fearless, whose integrity is above board, and who have never compromised their integrity in public life or in public office," Ganguly said.