Elevation of Justice KM Joseph to SC confirmed: sources

The long-drawn-out standstill between government and the Collegium over his elevation is set to end, as per the sources.

Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court Justice KM Joseph. Photo: File

New Delhi: Justice KM Joseph is set to become Supreme Court judge as government has agreed to the recommendations of the SC Collegium, sources revealed. The long-drawn-out standstill between government and the Collegium over his elevation is set to end, as per the sources. The Government has agreed to elevate Joseph to SC, reiterating the Collegium’s recommendation that was sent to the government for the second time. The Collegium had, on January 10, recommended the names of Justice K. M. Joseph and Justice Indu Malhotra for elevation to the Supreme Court. While the Centre had cleared Justice Indu Malhotra's file, it sent Justice Joseph's file back to the Collegium and asked it to reconsider its recommendation. The Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and comprising of Justice Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B. Lokur, and K. Joseph, had earlier met to reconsider the case of Joseph but deferred its decision on it. Two more names passed: Government has given approval to the names of three judges including that of Jospeh. The other two names are that of Madras High Court Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Orissa High Court Chief Justice Vineet Saran About Justice KM Jospeh: Joseph is currently the Chief Justice of Nainital High Court. Turning down of Joesph’s name had taken a controversial turn because of his Uttarakhand ruling, in which he had once overturned the imposition of President's Rule in the state. He has been the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court since July 2014. He was appointed a permanent judge of the Kerala High Court on October 14, 2004 and assumed charge of the Uttarakhand High Court on July 31, 2014.