Breaking: New garb for Justice Katju as Press Council of India chairman

Tuesday, 4 October 2011 By Legally India Bar, Bench & Litigation

Justice Markandey Katju, who retired from the Supreme Court just over two weeks ago, is set to become chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI).

According to Twitter user emkay and the Hindustan Times, Katju would take up the post, which has a five-year tenure.

The Hindustan Times cited government sources but was told by Katju that he would not comment until he had received formal government notification.

Katju replaces former Supreme Court Justice Ganendra Narayan Ray, who took up the post in 2005.

Read more on Katju as a judge at:

Markandey KatjuPress Council of IndiaSupreme Court

Comments

Raghu 5 Oct 2011, 02:06
+0 -0
Excellent news! Counted amongst the country's few good men, Katju will be an asset to this role!
SPK 5 Oct 2011, 07:57
+7 -0
With all dues respect, and whereas this may be fine on a case-by-case basis, I am quite worried about this systemic trend of post-retirement appointment of SC judges to government posts. Even it does not lead to actual bias or lack of independence, it does create a perception. And if we really think that these judges post-retirement are fit for other jobs like the NHRC, TDSAT, PTI etc., then why not just raise the retirement age?
ANY 5 Oct 2011, 10:39
+3 -0
Then who will man the TDSAT, NHRC etc.?
SPK 5 Oct 2011, 22:09
+2 -0
Well, TDSAT represents tribunalization, and so I really don't have a ready answer for your question regarding TDSAT except that perhaps eminent jurists, including lawyers etc., could be appointed. My concern, in fact, is about the very existence of TDSAT. Do we really need it? I dont believe that it even handles many cases. Alternative could be figured out.

As for NHRC, I really don't think you need a retired SC judge at the helm. What's the guarantee that the judge would be a human rights advocate? Does the NCW have women judges?

Looking at your comment more generally, I really don't think the real reason for the appointment of SC judges to these posts after retirement is that only they can best perform these functions.
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