Rift in collegium hits judges’ appointment to Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: Appointments of judges, which has pitted the judiciary against the government, are likely to be delayed after a senior judge refused to attend Supreme

NEW DELHI: Appointments of judges, which has pitted the judiciary against the government, are likely to be delayed after a senior judge refused to attend Supreme Court collegium meetings citing lack of transparency in a rare ‘revolt’ to hit the top court.

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In a three-page letter, justice J Chelameswar urged Chief Justice of India TS Thakur to make the judges’ appointment process transparent, sources said. Reasons for rejecting or recommending a candidate should be put on record, the letter sent on Thursday said.

Under the collegium system the CJI and other senior SC justices appoint judges to the top court as well as the high court. It is also responsible for transferring HC judges.

The judge, who objected to some recent transfers, said there was no reason for him to attend the meetings as no record of discussions was maintained. He also turned down the CJI’s request to take back the letter, sources said.

Justice Chelameswar was the only judge to dissent in the five-member bench that in October shot down a panel that would have given the government some say in the appointment of judges.