The Attorney General of India, R. Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, has conveyed to the Supreme Court that “sensitive material” with the government is delaying the clearance of the apex court Collegium’s recommendations for appointments of Chief Justices to High Courts.
Mr. Venkataramani informed a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Friday (September 13) that he would like to hand over the information along with his suggestions in a sealed cover.
“I would like to place the inputs and my suggestions in a sealed cover for perusal by the judges,” Mr. Venkatramani told the bench.
The Chief Justice agreed and posted the case on September 20.
The exchange came in a hearing on a petition filed by advocate Harsh Vibhore Singhal to fix a deadline for the government to clear Collegium recommendations on judicial appointments. It sought a direction to plug the ‘zone of twilight’ of there being no time for notifying the collegium’s recommendations for the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary.
“The government arbitrarily delays notifying appointments thereby trampling upon judicial independence, imperiling the constitutional and democratic order and disparaging the majesty and sagacity of the court,” the petition said.
During a hearing in January last year, the Supreme Court had told the government that “delay not only affects the administration of justice but also creates an impression as if third party interests are interfering on behalf of these judges with the government”.
Published - September 14, 2024 04:33 pm IST
