NEW DELHI (TIP): Outgoing Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam does not mind being the first Lokpal or taking up any other post-retirement job if the decision is taken unanimously and without controversy. “If it (being made Lokpal) is a unanimous choice, then definitely I will accept it,” he said.

Justice Sathasivam, who is demitting office tomorrow after nine months as the head of the judiciary, said he was not averse to accepting any position after his retirement like NHRC Chief or Lokpal but that has to be without any controversy and it should be “befitting” for an ex-CJI. Speaking about the system of appointment of judges, Justice Sathasivam favoured continuing with the present system of collegium for appointments to higher judiciary.

“In the present system we appoint judges after proper consultation with the chief justices of respective high courts and also seek opinion of advocates general of the states whenever required. “If a person is included from outside the judiciary they may not be having the knowledge of judiciary and that will not be proper in the selection of judges,” he said.