Chelameswar digs in heels, SC judges’ appointment stuck

NEW DELHI: The stalemate over the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court is likely to continue, with Justice J Chelameswar reportedly refusing to reconsider

NEW DELHI: The stalemate over the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court is likely to continue, with Justice J Chelameswar reportedly refusing to reconsider his decision to boycott the collegium meetings unless the procedure becomes transparent.

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HT has reliably learnt that Justice Chelameswar has conveyed his decision to Chief Justice of India (CJI) TS Thakur at a meeting between the two on September 19.

Sources said the CJI asked Justice Chelameswar to reconsider his August 26 decision not to participate in the collegium meetings.

In a letter to the CJI, the judge had expressed his displeasure at the way discussions take place during the collegium meetings.

He had earlier accused his senior judges in the collegium of closing ranks to have their way in appointments.

Justice Chelameswar will retire in 2018. At present, his presence is required to appoint SC judges and decide transfer of high court judges, which is done by the five senior-most judges.

With Justice Chelameswar refusing to attend meetings, sources said that the only option available is circulation of the agenda.

In collegium meetings, the five judges sit together and arrive at a decision.

In circulation, there would be no direct interface among the judges and it might become necessary for the judges to record reasons for approving or rejecting an appointment.