Context
The Supreme Court invalidated key parts of the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021 for violating judicial independence by giving the Union government excessive control over tribunals’ appointments, tenure, salaries, and administration. The Court called it a “repackaged” version of the 2021 Ordinance earlier struck down.
Provisions Struck Down
- Executive-dominated appointments: Gave Centre a dominant role in selecting tribunal chairpersons and members.
- Short 4-year tenure: Arbitrary, insecure tenure enabling executive pressure.
- Government control over salaries & service conditions: Direct interference with judicial autonomy.
- Executive control weakening institutional autonomy: Provisions that curtailed independence, impartiality, and effective
adjudication.
Direction by SC
Centre must set up the National Tribunal Commission within 4 months to ensure transparent and independent tribunal administration.
