SC strikes down Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021 provisions relatingtoappointment&tenure of tribunal members

Taking strong exception to the Union government for reenacting the tribunal law with only marginal alterations of the provisions earlier invalidated by it, the Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down key provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 concerning the appointment and tenure of tribunal members, observing that the Centre had effectively brought back what had already been quashed in previous rulings.

- PARMOD KUMAR

Striking down the provisions relating to the appointment of the tribunal members and their tenure, Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, heading the bench also comprising Justice K. Vinod Chandran, pronouncing the judgment, said: “..the provisions of the Impugned Act cannot be sustained. They violate the constitutional principles of separation of powers and judicial independence, which are firmly embedded in the text, structure, and spirit of the Constitution.”