Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Names Of Two Chief Justices For Elevation To Top Court

Currently, the Supreme Court of India has a sanctioned strength of thirty-four judges and is presently functioning with twenty seven, therefore with seven vacancies.

Supreme Court of India

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New Delhi: Supreme Court Collegium on Sunday recommended Allahabad High Court Chief Justice, Justice Rajesh Bindal, and Gujarat High Court Chief Justice, Justice Aravind Kumar for elevation as Judges of the Supreme Court.

Currently, the Supreme Court of India has a sanctioned strength of thirty-four judges and is presently functioning with twenty seven, therefore with seven vacancies.

According to reports, the Collegium on December 13 last year had recommended five names for appointment as Judges of the Supreme Court. They are Justice Pankaj Mithal, Justice Sanjay Karol, Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Justice Manoj Misra. Their appointment is yet to be notified by the Government.

All six members of the SC Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, were unanimous in recommending the name of Justice Bindal, said the resolution uploaded on the apex court website. However, Justice KM Joseph had reservation in recommending the name of Justice Kumar, the resolution said.

"The resolution of the Collegium in regard to the appointment of Mr Justice Rajesh Bindal, Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, is unanimous. However, in regard to the appointment of Mr Justice Aravind Kumar, Chief Justice of the High Court of Gujarat, Justice K M Joseph has expressed his reservations on the ground that his name can be considered at a later stage," the resolution said.

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According to the notification released by the apex court, the collegium had resolved to recommend two more names for appointment as Judges of the top court against the two remaining vacancies.

"The Collegium deliberated on and discussed the names of Chief Justices and senior Judges of the High Courts eligible for appointment to the Supreme Court. Judgments authored by those falling in the zone of consideration for elevation to the Supreme Court were circulated among the members of the Collegium for a meaningful discussion on and assessment of their judicial acumen," stated the notification.

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As per the collegium, upon careful evaluation of merit, integrity, and competence of eligible Chief Justices and senior Judges of the High Courts, and accommodating a plurality of considerations, Justice Rajesh Bindal, Chief Justice, High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, and Justice Aravind Kumar, Chief Justice, High Court of Gujarat have been found deserving and suitable in all respects for the position of Judges of the Supreme Court of India.