Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi Appointed As Rajya Sabha Member

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Ram Nath Kovind four months after his retirement. Ever since Gogoi’s nomination was announced, political reactions critical of this step taken by the government have been coming in.

Gogoi, who is remembered for delivering several important verdicts such as on the Ayodhya matter, Rafael deal, Sabarimala Temple and ban on publication of politicians’ photographs in government advertisements, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President on Monday.

Now, controversy has erupted over Gogoi’s nomination, with Congress party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala posted a tweet.

नमो संदेश -:

या तो राज्यपाल, चेयरमैन और राज्यसभा।

वरना तबादले झेलो या इस्तीफ़े देकर घर जाओ। pic.twitter.com/fOd7yeH1jf

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 16, 2020

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi wrote in a tweet, “Is it ‘quid pro quo’?

How will people have faith in the Independence of Judges? Many Questions.”

Meanwhile, former Union minister Yashwant Sinha tweeted and expressed the hope that former CJI Ranjan Gogoi will reject the offer of the Rajya Sabha seat. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that people who have occupied such high positions should stay away from politics.

As the 46th CJI, Gogoi delivered a total of 47 verdicts in his 13-month tenure. Born in Assam on November 18, 1954, Gogoi studied at Dibrugarh’s Don Bosco School and then at Delhi University’s St Stephen’s College.

In 1978, he registered as an advocate and was appointed as the permanent judge at Guwahati High Court on February 28, 2001. He was appointed as a Supreme Court judge on April 23, 2012, after which he became the CJI. Gogoi retired from the post of CJI on November 19, 2019.

Controversy erupts after President Ram Nath Kovind nominates former Supreme Court CJI #RanjanGogoi to the Rajya Sabha four months after his retirement @RumanaAlvi4 reports

More @ https://t.co/1jM0gYe7ue pic.twitter.com/5tdl4TY5MH

— GoNewsIndia (@GoNews_India) March 17, 2020

In the Rajya Sabha, 12 members - well-known figures from various disciplines - are nominated by the President. 

Before Gogoi, Mohammad Hidayatullah and Rangnath Mishra have also been nominated to the Rajya Sabha after retiring from the post of CJI. However, Gogoi will become the first MP to be nominated by the President.

Shiv Sena MP @rautsanjay61 says judiciary or election commission chiefs should stay away from politics. Raut was speaking on former CJI #RanjanGogoi's nomination to Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/y3ttVq1mdG

— GoNewsIndia (@GoNews_India) March 17, 2020