SC Collegium Recommends Three Judges for Elevation

SC Collegium Recommends Three Judges for Elevation

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court of India collegium, led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, has recommended three High Court judges — Justices N.V. Anjaria, Vijay Bishnoi, and A.S. Chandurkar — for elevation to the Supreme Court of India to fill upcoming vacancies. This latest Supreme Court news on collegium of judges comes as the apex court faces a shortage in its judicial strength.

New Recommendations and Vacancies:

  • Justices N.V. Anjaria (Chief Justice, Karnataka High Court), Justice Vijay Bishnoi (Chief Justice, Guwahati High Court), and Justice A.S. Chandurkar (Judge, Bombay High Court) recommended for elevation as judge of Supreme Court. These Supreme Court judge names have been put forward to address the current shortage.
  • The move comes as the working strength of Supreme Court falls to 31 after the retirement of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice A.S. Oka.
  • It will further reduce to 30 after Justice Bela M. Trivedi’s superannuation on June 9.
  • The sanctioned strength of 34 judges in the Supreme Court of India highlights the need for filling vacancies promptly.

Judges’ Profiles and Appointments

  • Justices N.V. Anjaria: From Gujarat High Court, became Karnataka High Court Chief Justice on Feb 25, 2023.
  • Justice Vijay Bishnoi: From Rajasthan High Court, assumed Guwahati High Court Chief Justiceship on Feb 5, 2024.
  • Justice A.S. Chandurkar: Started legal career as one of the Bombay High Court judges, elevated in June 2013.

Collegium Composition and Future Chief Justices

  • This is the first collegium resolution under Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai.
  • Despite the summer recess, all five senior-most Supreme Court judges are holding court.
  • Justice Surya Kant and Justice Vikram Nath are likely to be future new Chief Justice of India based on seniority.
  • Justice B.V. Nagarathna is expected to be India’s first woman Chief Justice of Supreme Court in 2027.
  • Justice J.K. Maheshwari is another notable name among the current Supreme Court judges.

Understanding Collegium System:

  • Collegium System: Judicial appointments and transfers evolved through Supreme Court of India judgments, not by law or Constitution.
  • First Judges Case (1981): Executive had primacy; Chief Justice’s recommendations could be rejected for “cogent reasons.”
  • Second Judges Case (1993): Introduced Collegium system; “consultation” means “concurrence” by Chief Justice and two senior judges.
  • Third Judges Case (1998): Collegium expanded to five-member collegium — Chief Justice + four senior judges.
  • Appointment Process:
  • Chief Justice appointed by President on outgoing Chief Justice’s recommendation (seniority-based).
  • Supreme Court judges recommended by Collegium; government role limited to intelligence vetting.
  • High Court judges recommended by high court collegium after consultation with outgoing High Court Chief Justice.
  • Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 124(2) for Supreme Court judges’ appointment.
  • Article 217 for High Court judges’ appointment.

This article provides Supreme Court of India news regarding the recommendations for appointment and elevation of judges to address the vacancies in Supreme Court. The Supreme Court collegium’s decision to recommend High Court Chief Justices and a Bombay High Court judge for elevation showcases the ongoing process of maintaining the judicial strength of the apex court. As retirements continue to impact the working strength of the Supreme Court, these recommendations play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient functioning of the highest court in the country.