New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS): The Congress on Friday accused the Narendra Modi government of "systematically and deliberately" weakening democratic instituions in the country, including the judiciary.

"During the last two and a half years of its tenure, this government has been systematically and deliberately weakening the democratic institutions of this country, including the judiciary," said Congress spokesman and senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

The Congress' attack came in the wake of Supreme Court slamming the government on Friday for holding back judicial appointments by sitting over the recommendations of the top court collegium for the appointment of judges to various High Courts.

A bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice L. Nageswara Rao said observed that the government's inaction amounted to paralysing and locking out the judiciary.

Singhvi called the situation unprecedented and unheard of.