COURTESY HT JAN 21

Past views don’t impact panel appointments: SC
NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Tuesday seemed to be responding to criticism over the composition of the panel it appointed to weigh in on the contentious farm laws by observing generically, and in an unrelated case, that it isn’t improper to pick someone for a court-appointed committee just because they have previously expressed an opinion on the issue to be considered.

On January 12, the court named four people to a committee it wanted to look at the farm laws, a move that immediately drew flak on account of the fact that the members had previously expressed support for the reforms. Indeed, the criticism was strong enough for one of the members to withdraw from the panel. The court’s observation came a day before it is scheduled to hear an affidavit seeking the removal of the three other members of the panel, citing bias.

Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, while hearing an unrelated case, said “there seems to be a misunderstanding of law” regarding composition of committee. He went on to elaborate: “Speaking in general, people are expected to be intelligent and informed. You are entitled to give your view. There is lack of comprehension about the composition of a committee. This is not a situation where somebody alleges bias towards a person whose relative is a beneficiary.”

On Tuesday, the three committee members held their first meeting and said the panel will begin consultations with farm unions on January 21