The Supreme Court collegium started meeting lawyers being considered for High Court judgeship for the first time. To reduce nepotism, they are avoiding recommending candidates who have close relatives in the judiciary and are giving more chances to first-generation lawyers. These meetings help assess candidates’ suitability better. This step aims to make judicial appointments fairer and more transparent.
The Supreme Court collegium, led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, conducted interviews for high court judgeships to improve candidate evaluation. This follows controversies involving Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav’s remarks at a VHP event, raising concerns about judicial impartiality. The collegium aims to enhance transparency and integrity in judicial appointments through personal interactions.
The Union Law Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that 38 candidates from SC, ST, OBC, and BC are being considered for High Court judgeships. Among the 205 pending recommendations by High Court Collegiums, 16.8% have been from these backgrounds since 2018. The government’s stance on approving candidates based on social media activity remains vague.