<p>"Our current appointments system is out of step with democratic culture, primarily because it lacks transparency, and provides for no oversight," Shah said.<br /><br />Known for his outspoken judgments, including the landmark July 2009 verdict de-criminalising homosexuality, Shah was speaking at a seminar 'Strengthening Democracy: Role of Judiciary' organised here. <br /><br />“At present, choosing judges is based on undisclosed criterion in largely unknown circumstances, reflecting an increasing democratic deficit. We can learn from systems elsewhere,” Shah said.<br /><br />“International consensus seems to favour appointments to the higher judiciary through an independent commission. There should also be a consensus to bring more diversity on the bench,” he said, adding that less than five percent of judges were female.</p>
<p>"Our current appointments system is out of step with democratic culture, primarily because it lacks transparency, and provides for no oversight," Shah said.<br /><br />Known for his outspoken judgments, including the landmark July 2009 verdict de-criminalising homosexuality, Shah was speaking at a seminar 'Strengthening Democracy: Role of Judiciary' organised here. <br /><br />“At present, choosing judges is based on undisclosed criterion in largely unknown circumstances, reflecting an increasing democratic deficit. We can learn from systems elsewhere,” Shah said.<br /><br />“International consensus seems to favour appointments to the higher judiciary through an independent commission. There should also be a consensus to bring more diversity on the bench,” he said, adding that less than five percent of judges were female.</p>