Name of the Case : Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association vs. Union of India
Year of Judgement : 2015
Popular Name : Fourth Judges case or NJAC case
Related Topic/ Issue : Appointment of Supreme Court and High Court Judges
Related Article/ Schedule : 124 & 217
Supreme Court Judgement:
- Reinstatement of Collegium System: Restored the collegium system for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
- Judicial Independence: Reaffirmed the principle that the independence of the judiciary is a fundamental component of the basic structure of the Constitution.
- Invalidation of NJAC: Declared the 99th Amendment Act (2014) and the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act (2014) unconstitutional and void.
- Call for Reforms: Highlighted the need for potential improvements in the collegium system for a more effective judicial appointments process.
Impact of the Judgement:
- Invalidation of Legislation: Both the 99th Amendment Act (2014) and the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act (2014) were rendered invalid.
- Restoration of Collegium System: The judgement reinstated the earlier collegium system for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
