VP Dhankhar questions CJI’s role in executive appointments
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar questioned the Chief Justice of India’s role in executive appointments, specifically in selecting the CBI Director. Speaking at the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal, he highlighted concerns about judicial overreach, stating that a thin line separates judicial activism from disrupting democracy.
Dhankhar argued that involving the judiciary in executive decisions weakens democracy. He said the existing statutory provision resulted from an executive yielding to a judicial verdict but stressed the need for a review. “How can the Chief Justice of India be part of executive appointments? This does not align with democratic principles,” he said.
He also warned against judicial governance replacing executive accountability. According to him, elected governments answer to the legislature and the public, ensuring accountability. If the judiciary assumes executive roles, accountability becomes unenforceable. He emphasized that democracy functions best when institutions maintain “coordinated autonomy” rather than operating in isolation or conflict.
Dhankhar criticized political disruptions in democratic institutions, saying they undermine constitutional values. He questioned how national interest could take a backseat to partisan conflicts and warned that confrontation often replaces consensus in governance.
His remarks reflect an ongoing debate about the judiciary’s influence over executive decisions, with calls to reassess its role in governance.
