Bar Association chief opposes appointment of ex-CJI Sathasivam as Governor

New Delhi: The head of a lawyers' body on Monday raised objection to the Centre's reported move to appoint former Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam as the Governor of Kerala claiming such an appointment soon after his retirement will "create a dent in judicial independence".[caption id="attachment_1692445" align="alignleft" width="380"] Former CJI P Sathasivam. PTI[/caption]Adish C Aggarwala, Chairman of All India Bar Association, said government has repeatedly vowed to protect judicial independence and "certainly this (reported move to) appoint Justice Sathasivam within a few months after his retirement as CJI will create a dent in judicial independence".However, in the letter, he said, instead the government could consider his candidature for the position of Lokpal, which is adjudicatory in function and is befitting to his stature of former CJI."Such an appointment is not upto the pleasure of the government and is apolitical," he added.Further, the lawyer said in case Justice Sathasivam is appointed as Governor, the appointment will be challenged in an appropriate court.PTI