Look in issues raised by Justice Chelameswar: ex-CIC Shailesh Gandhi writes to CJI

RTI activist and ex-CIC Shailesh Gandhi has written a letter to Chief Justice of India TS Thakur requesting him to look into the issues raised by Supreme Court Judge J Chelameswar with regard to collegium system of appointment.

"Justice Chelameswar has very boldly raised the issue of lack of transparency in the judiciary and the nation is grateful to him. You must take this opportunity to bring accountability. There is an urgent need to ensure all judicial vacancies are filled by a proper, transparent process so that faith of the people in our democracy is restored," Gandhi said in the two-page letter written to the CJI on Monday.

Last week, Justice Chelameswar opted out of a meeting of the collegium which was to be held to discuss various issues, including the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) which will deal with the procedures to be followed in the appointment of Judges in HCs and the SC.

"We have lost checks and balances designed by our Constitution. I beseech you Sir, for the sake of our nation let us restore the balance with your authority and wisdom," said Gandhi, who served as Central Information Commissioner from 2008 to 2012.

The 69-year-old activist has also highlighted the issue of pending cases in the courts as well as vacancies in the judiciary.