Judges appointment not a family property to be partitioned, Justice Kemal Pasha says

Kochi: Justice Kemal Pasha has strongly criticised judge appointment process saying, "It is not a family property to be partitioned."

In his farewell speech, Justice Pasha said that there are competent lawyers eligible to be elevated as judges and to pick and choose some persons who are not at all competent to be judges and to recommend them for elevation, will point fingers towards the system.

Justice Pasha said the recent incidents in the high court have diminished the reputation of the Kerala High Court and emphasised that judges should not have an expectation of post-retirement jobs as government is a major litigant and then judges do not dare to attract government displeasure.

He called up the members of the Bar to speak up against such issues and practices to bring about a "cleansing effect" in the judiciary.

"Appointment of judges is not a family property of someone to be partitioned. I do not believe that judgeship should be allotted to each and every religion, caste or sub-caste. I learn from media that some names from the Bar have been recommended for elevation. If the name given by the media is correct, I can very well say that most of the judges of this court including me have no good fortune to see even the faces of some of those people. Is it good for the Judiciary?

"..A judge is being considered as a Minister of this temple of justice. The duty to impart justice is a divine function. Also when persons have to perform divine functions are to be selected they should have the capacity for it," said Justice Pasha.