Mann-Kejriwal duo intimidating judiciary to subvert constitution: Chugh

STATE TIMES NEWS CHANDIGARH: BJP National Headquarters In-Charge and MP Tarun Chugh on Monday accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal of allegedly violating constitutional norms and attempting to intimidate the judiciary. Reacting to Mann's reported boycott of the swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chugh termed it a 'shameful disgrace to democracy' and criticised the AAP government for allegedly opposing the judicial appointment. 'The Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal duo is already working on a 'Defame First' operation against the judiciary. They are creating an atmosphere to discredit the judiciary first and are now trying to turn its appointment process into a political controversy,' Chugh said. He alleged that the AAP government was attempting to extend political influence over constitutional institutions. 'The High Court is not an AAP mohalla committee where the party can sit together and decide who will head it. The Constitution has clearly defined the domain, dignity and limits of every institution,' he said. Chugh stressed that judicial independence is a fundamental pillar of democracy and must remain insulated from political pressure, warning that politicising judicial appointments could undermine public confidence in the justice delivery system. Referring to a statement by former Punjab AAP in-charge Manish Sisodia regarding electoral tactics, Chugh alleged that the approach had become the government's political modus operandi. He said the judiciary cannot function according to the political convenience of any party and questioned what judicial independence would mean if a Chief Minister and Cabinet could decide who should head a High Court.