How has the judicial independence been affected by the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014?
The judicial independence has been affected by the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014 as it changed the process of appointing judges to high courts and the supreme court. Previously, judges were appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chief justice of India along with other judges and state governors. However, after the 99th amendment which brought about this act, the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was given more power in recommending appointments. The NJAC includes members from the judiciary, executive, and legal profession, thus creating a possibility of interference from other branches of government in judicial appointments, potentially affecting the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.