New Delhi, June 30 -- Supreme Court judge Justice Dipankar Datta on Saturday called for stern action against "external forces" that obstruct judicial appointments, challenging the widespread belief that judges alone decide appointments under the Collegium system. The apex court judge was addressing the 'critics' of the 'Collegium System'.

Addressing critics of the Collegium system at a felicitation ceremony for Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai, organised by the High Court Bar Association in Nagpur, Justice Dipankar Datta said, "The notion that it is only judges appointing judges is a misconceived one."

The Supreme Court judge highlighted delays in implementing Collegium recommendations, citing his own experience as a member of the C...