Despite a massive bar of nearly 47,000 advocates, only three DHCBA members have been elevated as judges in the last 17 months. DHCBA President N Hariharan raised concerns over balance and fairness in judicial appointments before CJI Surya Kant.
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NEW DELHI: The President of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA), N. Hariharan, on Thursday raised concerns over the declining number of practising lawyers being elevated to the Delhi High Court bench, stating that such appointments appear to have become the exception rather than the norm.
Speaking in the presence of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Hariharan said that only three advocates from the DHCBA have been elevated as judges in the last 17 months, despite the association having nearly 47,000 practising lawyers.
“Despite nearly 47,000 advocates practising before this court, only three members of this huge bar have been elevated as judges since August 2024. While we welcome these appointments, the prevailing perception remains that elevation from the bar has become an exception rather than a norm,”
Hariharan said.
He clarified that the Bar Association was not questioning individual judicial appointments but was instead urging greater balance and fairness in the selection process.
“We understand that the power of appointing judges lies with the collegium and constitutional authorities. Our intention is not to question individual appointments, but our appeal is for balance and fairness,”
the DHCBA president added.
Hariharan also drew attention to infrastructural challenges and judicial pendency faced by the Delhi High Court, suggesting that these issues further underline the need for timely and balanced judicial appointments.
The comments were made during a felicitation ceremony organised by the DHCBA to honour CJI Surya Kant.
Responding to the concerns raised, the Chief Justice acknowledged the issues and assured that the system would react over time.
“The system, in due course of time, will effectively address those issues,”
Justice Surya Kant said.
Justice Surya Kant also praised the historic role of the Delhi High Court Bar Association in upholding constitutional values and legal integrity.
“The Delhi High Court Bar Association has historically shaped its role as that of a legitimate and reliable institutional interlocutor. During moments of constitutional stress, it has demonstrated courage and clarity,”
he said.
Referring to the period following the supersession of Justice H.R. Khanna, the CJI recalled how Pran Nath Lekhi was elected DHCBA President while imprisoned, calling it a powerful reminder of the Bar’s role as a guardian of constitutional conscience.
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