The Supreme Court has ruled that former Judge of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, would remain a member of the National Green Tribunal till the process of selection of Judicial members was completed and till the new Judicial members took charge.
The order was passed by the Bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha on an application filed by Enviro Legal Defence Firm.
Representing Justice Singh, Advocate Kazi Sangay Thupden contended that out of a sanctioned strength of 10 Judicial Members and as many Expert Members, the National Green Tribunal currently had six Judicial Members and five Expert Members.
Further, one of the Members of NGT (Justice Singh) was due to demit office on January 16, he added.
The Apex Court ruled that Justice Singh would continue to remain in office. subject to his consent for continuance. The Bench fixed January 27 as the next date of hearing in the case.
Additional Solicitor General Balbir Singh placed a note before the Bench, which said:
1. Steps had been initiated for selection of Judicial Members;
2. An advertisement was published in the national daily on December 16, 2022 and the last date of receiving applications was January 12, 2023.
As per Section 4(1) of the National Green Tribunal Act 2010, the Tribunal shall consist of not less than 10 but subject to a maximum of 20 full time Judicial Members and the same number of Expert Members.
(Case Title: Central Administrative Tribunal Bar Association Kolkata & Another vs Union of India & Ors)