ON
← Back to feed
Supreme Court Collegium’s unexplained recommendations risk bad appointments: Justice Bhuyan
India🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive20 days ago

Supreme Court Collegium’s unexplained recommendations risk bad appointments: Justice Bhuyan

Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan criticized the Supreme Court Collegium for lacking transparency in judicial appointments, arguing that this opacity allows individuals with controversial remarks to enter the judiciary. He cited a case where a former Allahabad High Court Judge referred to a minority community as 'ants' as an example of the problem. Bhuyan noted that the Collegium no longer provides reasons for its recommendations, unlike previous practices, and emphasized the need for greater accountability and public access to information. He also addressed concerns about the misuse of livestreaming court proceedings, highlighting the potential for misinformation and reputational damage. The discussion took place during a keynote address at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy's event on judicial transparency.

On August 1, 2026, Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the judicial appointments process, emphasizing that citizens have a right to know how judges are selected. Speaking at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy's launch of its report The Judicial Transparency Index, Justice Bhuyan criticized the Supreme Court Collegium for its opaque practices, noting that its recent recommendations lacked detailed justifications compared to previous ones. He argued that such secrecy risks enabling the entry of individuals who make unconstitutional or derogatory remarks into the judiciary. In his remarks, Justice Bhuyan cited a case involving a former Allahabad High Court judge who reportedly referred to a minority community as “ants” during a speech. This incident served as an illustration of the potential dangers posed by the Collegium’s failure to disclose reasoning behind its selections. He emphasized that the absence of transparency not only keeps the public uninformed about the qualifications of appointed judges but also allows potentially problematic candidates to gain positions within the judiciary. The Collegium, responsible for recommending judicial appointments, has long operated under the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), a framework established through landmark Supreme Court rulings known as the Three Judges Cases. These cases laid the foundation for the Collegium system, which replaced an earlier model of judicial appointments. In 2015, the Supreme Court rejected the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), a proposed body aimed at replacing the Collegium. Following this decision, the court urged the government to collaborate on revising the MoP to enhance transparency and accountability in judicial appointments. Despite these calls, the reform process remains unresolved, with the current procedures still shrouded in secrecy. Justice Bhuyan also addressed the issue of livestreaming court proceedings, highlighting a July 24 order issued by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The order clarified that while livestreaming promotes transparency, it must be carefully managed to prevent the misuse of recorded exchanges. The court expressed concern over the circulation of decontextualized snippets of dialogue, often accompanied by sensational headlines, which could mislead the public and damage the reputations of judges, lawyers, and litigants. The order did not prohibit livestreaming but instead sought to distinguish between genuine transparency and the exploitation of that process for commercial or misleading purposes. The judge stressed that livestreaming has become one of the most significant advancements in judicial transparency over the past decade. He reiterated that open courts are essential for maintaining public trust in the judiciary. By allowing the public to observe courtroom proceedings, the judiciary can ensure that judgments are delivered fairly and impartially. Justice Bhuyan noted that open courts enable the public to form reasoned opinions about the functioning of the judiciary, reinforcing the principle of open justice. Additionally, Justice Bhuyan referenced the 2018 Swapnil Tripathi judgment, which dealt with the issue of live-streaming and the protection of judicial dignity. While the specifics of the case were not elaborated upon, the mention underscores the ongoing legal discourse surrounding the balance between transparency and the integrity of judicial processes. As the judiciary continues to navigate the complexities of modern governance, the challenge lies in ensuring that transparency does not compromise the fairness and independence of the judicial system.

3 reports

NDTV logoNDTVParty-alignedCenterFactual 90Objective 8522 days ago
Citizens Have Right To Know: Supreme Court Judge On Judicial Appointments

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, a Supreme Court judge, commented on the process of judicial appointments, noting that while the collegium's previous resolutions were supported by some reasoning, those reasons were not comprehensive. The remark suggests a critique of the transparency and thoroughness in the selection process for judges.

Bias read (Center): The statement appears to be a neutral observation rather than a strongly partisan take. Justice Bhuyan is highlighting a procedural aspect of judicial appointments without overtly endorsing or criticizing specific political factions. The tone remains objective, focusing on the adequacy of reasoning,

Why factuality (90): This article summarizes Justice Bhuyan's statement that the Collegium previously provided reasons for its recommendations, though not exhaustively. It accurately reflects the cross-source consensus on the change in the Collegium's approach. No primary source is available, but the content is consiste

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting Justice Bhuyan's statement without additional commentary or bias. It focuses solely on reporting the facts as conveyed by the judge, without injecting personal opinion or emotional language.

The Hindu logoThe HinduIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 7520 days ago
Supreme Court Collegium’s unexplained recommendations risk bad appointments: Justice Bhuyan

Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan criticized the Supreme Court Collegium for lacking transparency in judicial appointments, arguing that this opacity allows individuals with controversial remarks to enter the judiciary. He cited a case where a former Allahabad High Court Judge referred to a minority community as 'ants' as an example of the problem. Bhuyan noted that the Collegium no longer provides reasons for its recommendations, unlike previous practices, and emphasized the need for greater accountability and public access to information. He also addressed concerns about the misuse of livestreaming court proceedings, highlighting the potential for misinformation and reputational damage. The discussion took place during a keynote address at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy's event on judicial transparency.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue of judicial transparency as a systemic failure requiring reform, aligning with progressive critiques of institutional opacity. While the subject is about judicial procedures, the emphasis on accountability and criticism of the Collegium's opaque practices reflects a left

Why factuality (85): The article reports Justice Bhuyan's comments on the Collegium's lack of transparency in judicial appointments, citing specific examples such as the former Allahabad High Court Judge's remark about a minority community. It references his speech at an event and quotes him directly. While no primary s

Why objectivity (75): The article presents Justice Bhuyan's concerns in a balanced manner, quoting him directly. However, there is a slight editorial tilt towards highlighting the issue of transparency, which may reflect the outlet's stance on judicial accountability. The tone remains professional but leans slightly towa

The Print logoThe PrintIndependentCenterFactual 40Objective 5023 days ago
Cryptic bail orders need not be revisited: SC

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that cryptic bail orders issued by lower courts do not require revision. The decision emphasizes that such orders, which may lack clarity or detail, should stand unless there is clear evidence of legal irregularities or procedural violations. The ruling comes amid ongoing discussions about judicial transparency and the need for clearer guidelines in bail decisions. Legal experts have noted that while the court’s stance provides some clarity, it does not fully address concerns about the potential misuse of ambiguous bail terms.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a judicial ruling without overt ideological framing. It focuses on legal interpretation rather than partisan commentary. While the issue of judicial transparency is politically relevant, the article remains neutral in its presentation of the court's decision and does not take a党

Why factuality (40): The article is incomplete and lacks context. It mentions 'cryptic bail orders' but does not connect them to the main topic of judicial appointments or provide any details about the Supreme Court's position. There is no alignment with the cross-source consensus on the Collegium's transparency issues,

Why objectivity (50): The article appears to be a placeholder or incomplete piece. It lacks coherence and fails to present a clear, objective perspective. The tone is vague and does not engage with the broader discussion on judicial transparency.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories