Where did the recommendation of names of High Court judges stop? Supreme Court asked the Center clearly

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Central Government to tell which names have been re-recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium for appointment as judges in the higher judiciary and what is their number. The Supreme Court has also asked the Center to explain the reason why these names have not been considered till now and at what level this approval is pending. This direction was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud during the hearing of a public interest petition. The bench told Attorney General R. Venkataramani, appearing for the Center, “The Supreme Court Collegium (for judges) is not a search committee whose recommendations can be stopped. Please, you make a list of the re-recommended names and tell why and at what level these are pending…”

‘Some appointments are yet to be made and we are hopeful…’

The bench said that some appointments are yet to be made and we hope that these will be done very soon. In the petition filed, it has been requested to give a direction that a time limit be fixed for the government to notify the names of judges sent by the Supreme Court Collegium for appointment. In the absence of a fixed time limit, the government arbitrarily delays the notification of appointments, which violates judicial independence. The constitutional and democratic system is endangered. The dignity of the court is disrespected.

On coaching centers, he/she said, we will issue instructions across the country

The Supreme Court directed the committee probing the incident of death of three students due to flooding in the basement of a coaching centre in Delhi to submit a report on interim measures within four weeks. The committee was formed by the Centre to investigate the incident. The court said, ‘A similar initiative should be taken in the entire NCR to prevent such an incident from happening again like the one in Old Rajendra Nagar. If needed, we will issue instructions across the country to prevent such incidents.’

Report sought on judge’s comment on woman lawyer

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the alleged objectionable remarks made by Karnataka High Court judge Vedavyasacharya Srishanand against a woman lawyer. Chief Justice Chandrachud said, ‘Cognizance is taken on the media reports regarding the judge’s remarks. We request the Karnataka High Court to submit a report after taking instructions from the Chief Justice there. We can set some basic guidelines.’ Senior advocate Indira Jaisingh had raised the issue of objectionable remarks.