Supreme Court: In what could turn into another face-off between the Executive and Judiciary over judges’ appointments, the Supreme Court today questioned why the centre has not sent recommendations of high courts to the Collegium yet.
Hearing petitions alleging delay by the centre in clearing names, a bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said they are closely monitoring the matter. “Eighty names from the high court have been pending for a period of 10 months. There is only a basic process that takes place. Your view has to be known so that the collegium can take a call,” said Justice Kaul, addressing the centre.
“I have the information of how many names have been pending which have been recommended by the high court but haven’t been received by the Collegium,” Justice Kaul said.
Attorney General R Venkatramani sought a week’s time to respond. The bench granted him two weeks and asked him to return with the Centre’s submission. The matter will now be heard on October 9.
In strong remarks, Justice Kaul said, “I have a lot to say, but I am stopping myself. I am silent because the A-G has asked for a week to respond, but I won’t be quiet on the next date.”
The appointment of judges has been a key issue of contention between the and the Executive. Central ministers have argued that the government should have a role in the selection of judges.
The Supreme Court had in October 2015 struck down the National Judicial Appointments Act that gave the bigger role of the Executive in judges’ appointments.