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Centre returned 10 proposals reiterated by SC Collegium: Kiren Rijiju in RS
According to the existing Memorandum of Procedure on the appointment of high court judges, the proposal is initiated by the Chief Justice of the high court in consultation with two senior most puisne judges of the high court
The central government has asked the Supreme Court Collegium to reconsider 10 proposals reiterated by it, union law minister Kiren Rijiju told the Parliament on Thursday.
“Ten proposals reiterated by SCC (Supreme Court Collegium) were recently referred back to the SCC for reconsideration,” he said.
Responding to a question raised by the leader of the opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who asked him under what rules and procedure such recommendations were again sent back to the SSC despite their reiteration, Rijiju said the step was taken in view of various reports/ input received by the centre, which in their opinion warranted for further consideration by the Collegium.
“Out of these 10 proposals, the SC Collegium has reiterated its earlier recommendation for appointment in three cases. On the remaining seven reiterated proposals, the Collegium has sought additional inputs from the high court Collegium,” Rijiju said in his written reply to Kharge.
According to the existing Memorandum of Procedure on the appointment of high court judges, the proposal is initiated by the Chief Justice of the high court in consultation with two senior most puisne judges of the high court.
This development comes amidst the ongoing tussle between the executive and the judiciary over the procedure of appointment of the judges.
The National Judicial Appointments Commission Act has been at the centre of discussions. It was passed by the parliament in August 2014 and quashed by the Supreme Court in 2015.
According to the existing Memorandum of Procedure on the appointment of high court judges, the proposal is initiated by the chief justice of the high court in consultation with two senior judges of that high court.
The union law minister then considers the recommendations keeping IB reports on the candidates in mind.
The complete material is then forwarded to the Chief Justice of India for advice. Accordingly, the government sends all proposals received from the various high court collegiums to the Supreme Court Collegium for advice.
