3 weeks ago
Kejriwal Questions Supreme Court Collegium's Integrity Over Judicial Appointments
Recently, an Indian politician named Arvind Kejriwal said some things about judges that upset many people.
He said he thinks judges are being chosen too quickly to become Supreme Court judges.
He also said these judges might be picked because they are loyal to the Prime Minister, not because they are the best.
Many other people do not agree with him.
They say he got the facts wrong.
The news he pointed to was about a judge being made the top judge of a state court, not being chosen for the Supreme Court.
They also say a group of senior judges decides who becomes a judge, and the government is not part of that group.
Some people think Mr. Kejriwal is upset because judges made decisions against his political party.
In a democracy, people can ask questions, but they should be careful to get the facts right.
This story shows how arguments about judges can become very political.
Arvind Kejriwal on August 9, 2026 questioned the integrity of the Supreme Court Collegium, alleging judges are elevated based on 'loyalty to the emperor' Narendra Modi.
He claimed the Collegium's recommendation of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court bypassed seniority, making him 'vulnerable to quid pro quo.'
The article counters that the recommendation was for Mishra's permanent confirmation as Chief Justice — not elevation to the Supreme Court — following standard practice for an Acting Chief Justice.
The CJI Surya Kant-headed Collegium made the recommendation on August 6, 2026, about two months after Justice Mishra became Acting Chief Justice following Justice Sheel Nagu's elevation to the Supreme Court.
Critics note AAP previously backed the Collegium, welcoming the 2015 Supreme Court verdict striking down the NJAC Act, while Raghav Chadha said in 2022 the system was 'functioning smoothly.'
- Who
- Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo; the Supreme Court Collegium led by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
- What
- Kejriwal questioned the Collegium's integrity, alleging judges are elevated to the Supreme Court 'out of turn' based on loyalty to the Prime Minister; the article disputes the claims as factually inaccurate.
- Where
- India — the Supreme Court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
- When
- August 9, 2026 for Kejriwal's statement; August 6, 2026 for the Collegium's recommendation.
- Why
- Kejriwal said out-of-turn elevations bypassing seniority make judges vulnerable to quid pro quo; the article says the claims lack evidence and stem from political grudges against judges who ruled against AAP.
Kejriwal's View
Critics' View
Judicial appointments and seniority
Kejriwal's View
Judges are being elevated to the Supreme Court 'out of turn' and by bypassing seniority, making them vulnerable to 'quid pro quo' with the executive.
Critics' View
The Collegium weighs merit, track record and high-court representation rather than mechanical seniority; the Mishra recommendation was a routine confirmation of an Acting Chief Justice, not an elevation to the Supreme Court.
Independence of the Collegium
Kejriwal's View
The Supreme Court Collegium appears compromised, filling the apex court with judges ideologically aligned with the Modi government based on 'loyalty to the emperor.'
Critics' View
The Collegium is an independent body of senior Supreme Court judges with no link to the Executive, and Kejriwal offered no evidence of bias.
AAP's consistency on the Collegium system
Kejriwal's View
AAP claims it is defending judicial independence and transparency in appointments.
Critics' View
Critics call this hypocrisy: AAP welcomed the 2015 verdict striking down the NJAC Act, and Raghav Chadha said in 2022 that the Collegium system was 'functioning smoothly.'
Key facts
- Statement date
- August 9, 2026
- Collegium recommendation
- August 6, 2026 — Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as permanent Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Collegium head
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- Justice Mishra's role
- Acting Chief Justice since early June 2026; previously senior-most puisne judge
- Seniority basis
- Date of initial appointment
- Justice Sheel Nagu's elevation
- Appointed to Supreme Court June 1, 2026; assumed office June 2, 2026
- NJAC Act verdict
- Struck down 4:1 by the Supreme Court in 2015
Quotes
Arvind Kejriwal
Chief Minister of Delhi and AAP leader
“"It seems there is a tearing hurry to go to SC. Should judges be allowed SC elevation out of turn, bypassing seniority? That makes him vulnerable to quid pro quo."”
opindia.com
Sources
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