Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal highlighted a significant delay in filling nearly 39% of high court vacancies in India, with 357 judges’ positions vacant as of July 19. The government has only received 219 recommendations from high court collegiums for appointments. Delays in the judicial appointment process impact the efficiency of the system, requiring collaboration between government and collegiums for timely appointments.
On Wednesday(24th July),The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended a fresh one-year term for nine additional judges of the Calcutta High Court, starting August 31, 2024, instead of making their appointments permanent. The judges include Justices Biswaroop Chowdhury, Partha Sarathi Sen, Prasenjit Biswas, Uday Kumar, Ajay Kumar Gupta, Supratim Bhattacharya, Partha Sarathi Chatterjee, Apurba Sinha Ray, and Md Shabbar Rashidi.
Wilson, a DMK MP, met with Union Law Minister Meghwal to advocate for Permanent Regional Benches of the Supreme Court in various zones and other judicial reforms. Meghwal assured Wilson of reviewing the representation. The proposal also focused on social justice, diversity in judicial appointments, and raising retirement age for judges.
Kapil Sibal, a Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate, expressed strong concerns over new criminal laws, aiming to urge a review if supported by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). He emphasized the lack of consultation in formulating these laws and criticized the decline of the bar’s independence and political polarization. Sibal also critiqued the judiciary’s lack of uniformity in institutional procedures and emphasized the need for introspection in the appointment mechanisms.
Renowned economist Sanjeev Sanyal advocates urgent judiciary modernization in India, citing its potential hindrance to the nation’s progress. He highlights inefficiencies in the current system, emphasizing the need for transformation and reforms in the collegium system. Sanyal stresses the importance of merit-based appointments and a comprehensive public debate to drive change.
Former Supreme Court Justice Rohinton Nariman proposed a reform for India’s Collegium system, suggesting a panel with the Chief Justice and four retired judges to enhance judicial independence and address system flaws. He also emphasized the importance of transparency in the selection process and the inclusion of practicing members of the legal profession in the nomination process. The proposed framework aims to ensure well-qualified and committed judges while fostering judicial independence and accountability.
Today(on 23rd April),The President of the Supreme Court Bar Association urges Prime Minister Modi to amend statutes for the appointment of sitting judges to tribunals and commissions, instead of retired judges, to ensure judicial impartiality. He highlighted concerns about judges’ impartiality, recommended extending retirement age, and emphasized the need for upholding the judiciary’s independence.
On Moday (15th April): A recent PIL filed before the Supreme Court challenges the exclusion of disabled persons from judicial appointments, highlighting discrimination and accessibility issues. The plea emphasizes the need for compliance with the 4 percent reservation for disabled persons and calls for the establishment of an expert body to standardize rules and eliminate discriminatory hiring practices.
On Monday(8th April), The Supreme Court of India is reviewing petitions challenging the appointment of 68 Gujarat judicial officers, claiming a preference for seniority over merit. Advocate R. Basanth argued that candidates with higher suitability test scores were overlooked. The hearings will continue until April 15, 2024. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud proposed evaluating candidates primarily based on merit.
