Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal has criticized Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s recent characterization of Article 142 of the Constitution as a “nuclear missile,” labeling the remark as “extremely problematic.” Sibal contends that such statements undermine the judiciary’s role and the constitutional balance of power.
Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice in any case. Sibal argues that describing this provision in militaristic terms suggests a confrontational stance toward the judiciary, which could erode public trust in the legal system.
This criticism is part of a broader concern expressed by Sibal regarding the government’s attempts to influence the judiciary. He has previously accused the government of trying to “capture” the judiciary, the last bastion of freedom, by pushing for mechanisms like the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), which was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015.
Sibal emphasizes the importance of maintaining the independence of the judiciary and warns against any actions or rhetoric that could compromise its autonomy or the public’s confidence in the judicial system.
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