New Delhi: In a frontal attack on the collegium system, the Centre on Wednesday asserted in the Supreme Court that this method was illegal and the new system of appointment of judges through the National Judicial Appointments Commission should be allowed to work.

Making this submission before a three-judge bench of Justices Anil R. Dave, J. Chelameswar and Madan B. Lokur, the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said it was the prerogative of Parliament to change the system.

The AG said, “Experience had shown that all is not well with the Collegium system. Several judges who were part of the collegium had written articles criticising the present system. Even Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah Commission had recognised this and recommended the National Judicial Commission. Arguments will continue on Thursday.”