The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the names of Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Judge, Bombay High Court and Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice, Himachal Pradesh High Court for elevation as Supreme Court judges.
The Collegium said: “While recommending the names of Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai and Justice Surya Kant, the Collegium has taken into consideration combined seniority on all-India basis of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts, apart from their competence, conduct and integrity. The Collegium has also kept in mind the desirability of giving due representation on the Bench of the Supreme Court, as far as possible, to all the High Courts as well as to all sections of the society including those belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories, women and minorities. We are also conscious of the fact that some High Courts have remained unrepresented in the Supreme Court.”
In another decision, the Collegium also proposed reconsideration of the names of the Justice Aniruddha Bose, Chief Justice, Jharkhand High Court and Justice A S Bopanna, Chief Justice, Gauhati High Court as Judges of the Supreme Court.
“The Collegium is of the view that… though inter-se seniority amongst Judges in their High Courts and their combined seniority on all-India basis should be given due weightage, merit should be the predominant consideration. The Collegium accordingly kept in mind these parameters while recommending the above two names.
“In view of the above, on due consideration of all the aspects mentioned in the file, the Collegium resolves to reiterate the afore-mentioned recommendation dated 12th April, 2019, especially since nothing adverse regarding competence, conduct or integrity of Mr. Justices (1) Aniruddha Bose, and (2) A.S. Bopanna, has been pointed out,” the Collegium said.
—India Legal Bureau
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