Lack of quality debate in parliament while enacting laws: CJI NV Ramana

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India NV Ramana expressed disappointment over the lack of quality debate in Parliament, calling the current situation “a sorry state of affairs”.

Speaking at an event to mark Independence Day at the Supreme Court, CJI Ramana said, "It seems that there is a lack of quality debate in Parliament while enacting laws. This leads to a lot of litigation and the courts, in the absence of quality debate, are unable to fathom the intent and object behind the new law.”

CJI Ramana said there was "a lot of ambiguity in-laws" that was triggering litigation and causing inconvenience to citizens, courts and other stakeholders.

“Now it is a sorry state of affairs. The laws have a lot of ambiguity and the courts do not know the object and intent behind enacting of law,” CJI Ramana said.

CJI NV Ramana also said that post-independence, lawyers were present in Parliament in large numbers that probably led to quality debates.

“The lawyer community should rededicate themselves to public life and bring change in parliamentary debates," CJI NV Ramana further said.

CONTINUOUS RUCKUS IN PARLIAMENT

The Upper and Lower House of the Parliament saw several adjournments in the recently concluded Monsoon session of Parliament, with the Opposition cornering the government over the Pegasus spyware issue and farm laws.

The Opposition parties demanded a discussion in Parliament over the Pegasus issue after reports said nearly 300 numbers, including those of journalists, activists, Opposition leaders, and even of union ministers, figured in a list of potential snooping targets.

Israel's NSO Group has said it sells its Pegasus spyware only to "vetted" governments and government agencies.