In an apparent reference to Karnataka High Court Chief Justice P D Dinakaran, who is facing serious allegations, Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily on Wednesday said the government would not like to see any “tainted” person become a judge.

Since the controversy broke, the Supreme Court collegium’s recommendation to elevate Dinakaran to the apex court is in abeyance.

Without taking any names and also refusing to be drawn into a discussion over the Dinakaran issue, Moily said the government could also have a fresh look at the method of appointment of judges to the higher judiciary.

The minister was replying to a question if the UPA Government was mulling bringing in changes in the procedures for appointments to the higher judiciary.

“Already there is a memorandum of procedure which we are going by as of today. I am not reiterating that the same thing will continue. Maybe, we have to revisit the procedure. Whatever we do, we need to take the judiciary into full confidence” he said.

He was referring to the 1993 and 1998 decisions of the Supreme Court which led to the Memorandum of Procedures relating to Supreme Court Collegium that appoints judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.

Addressing the media to announce the forthcoming ‘National Consultation for Strengthening the Judiciary towards Reducing Pendency and Delays’ scheduled for October 24 and 25, Moily also talked about the government’s plan to come out with a “comprehensive Bill” to deal with complaints of corruption against judges.

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