To appeal against the decisions of judicial officers who were tasked with election registration by the Supreme Court using its extraordinary powers under Article 142, after the state government expressed serious doubts about the fairness of the process followed by EC officials, the SC had directed the constitution of election tribunals – 19 have been notified by the EC – comprising former HC CJs and former HC judges.The bench said that the appellate tribunals, before deciding the appeals filed before them, will have the discretion to go through the entire record including the reasons given by the judicial officers while deciding the objections and inform the parties about these reasons.

Tribunals free to develop their own procedures: Supreme Court

Tribunals are free to develop their own procedures in accordance with the principles of natural justice, and are requested to decide appeals after affording the parties a reasonable opportunity of being heard.” It says that persons wishing to file an appeal before the tribunal will be informed of the reasons given by the judicial authorities for rejecting their claims.Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee objected to the EC giving one-day training to former CJs and judges before they begin work in tribunals from Thursday. He asked, “Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies. They should function independently. Why training?” “They are former CJs and HC judges. Obviously, they will act independently. The training is to handle computers and soft copies of documents. Do not raise useless objections,” the CJI said.EC counsel and senior advocate DS Naidu said this is not training but only orientation.Justice Bagchi said, “He has wide experience in deciding cases. You should not be worried about the EC influencing the judges.” Advocate Kapil Sibal said, “We should have the freedom to approach the HC CJ when we have any complaint.” The bench said, “Obviously, you have the right to approach the Calcutta HC CJ. But do not go in a group or delegation. If you send a political delegation, we will ask the CJ not to entertain such delegations. Mr. Banerjee, or the Advocate General, can go and meet. Where is the need for political workers to meet the Chief Justice?Justice Bagchi said, “As per our knowledge and information the problem is that not only HC CJs but also district judges are represented by political unions or associations. We do not want judicial officers to be harassed in this manner.”