The Supreme Court Collegium, which recommends appointments to the apex court, includes Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice B.R. Gavai, and Justice Surya Kant. Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Abhay S. Oka join them for High Court appointments.
NEW DELHI: The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and members of the Collegium, urging them to prioritize candidates from minority groups, including Muslims, Christians, and other underrepresented sections of society, for appointments and promotions as judges in the Madras High Court.
The Council emphasized that judicial selections should be based on legal expertise, integrity, and intelligence to ensure adequate representation and promote socio-economic justice and diversity.
The letter advocating for equal opportunities in appointments and promotions without discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, region, or other factors. The Bar Council urged the Collegium to prioritize lawyers who possess qualifications and experience that align with enhancing judicial access and maintaining societal diversity.
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The Council emphasized the necessity of diversifying High Court benches to reflect society’s social fabric. This appeal comes amidst renewed debates over the Collegium’s recommendations. Notably, the Supreme Court Collegium is reportedly considering a proposal to avoid recommending candidates closely related to current or former judges of the Supreme Court or High Courts.
If implemented, this measure would aim to prioritize merit over familial ties and broaden opportunities for first-generation lawyers and diverse communities, though it may exclude some deserving candidates.
The Supreme Court Collegium, which recommends appointments to the apex court, includes Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice B.R. Gavai, and Justice Surya Kant. Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Abhay S. Oka join them for High Court appointments. Recently, the Collegium adopted a more interactive approach, engaging directly with candidates recommended for High Court promotions—a departure from traditional reliance on biodata, written evaluations, and intelligence reports.
On December 22, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended six candidates to the central government for appointment as judges in the High Courts of Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Bombay, and Allahabad. This step signals an effort to introduce a more inclusive and comprehensive judicial appointment process.
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