Amid the long-standing tussle between the Center and the Judiciary over the appointment of judges, the Center on Saturday, February 4, approved the names of five judges for appointment to the Supreme Court (Centre Clears 5 New Supreme Court Judges). Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has given this information by tweeting that the President of India Murmu has given his seal on making 5 judges including the Chief Justice of the High Court as the judges of the Supreme Court.
The names of the judges of the Supreme Court are:
- Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court Pankaj Mithal
- Patna High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Karol
- Manipur High Court Chief Justice PV Sanjay Kumar
- Patna High Court Judge Ahsanuddin Amanullah
- Allahabad High Court Judge Manoj Mishra
Supreme Court had expressed displeasure
Facing tough questions from the Supreme Court on the appointment of judges, the Center had a day earlier promised to clear by Sunday the pending recommendations of the collegium for elevation of five high court judges to the Supreme Court.
Justices SK Kaul and AS Oka expressed displeasure over the delay in approving recommendations for promotion of high court judges, terming it a “very serious issue” and warned that any delay in the matter would attract both administrative and judicial consequences. May be “very uncomfortable” action.
Asked about the status of the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendations during the hearing on the two petitions, Attorney General R Venkataramani said the warrant for the appointment of five judges is expected to be issued in two days.
Referring to the delay in approving the recommendations, the Supreme Court had said, “Let us not take a stand which would be very inconvenient”. The Supreme Court said that if the transfer of judges is kept pending, then it becomes a serious issue.
The law minister had said today – no one can warn anyone
Earlier today, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said in Prayagraj that “The Supreme Court has given a warning (on the collegium). The people of this country are the master of this country, we are the servants. Our guide is the constitution. The country will run according to the constitution. Can’t warn anyone. We see ourselves as servants.”
Government and Supreme Court are face to face on the issue of collegium
The collegium system has become the biggest bone of contention between the Supreme Court and the Centre. Union Law Minister Rijiju is vocally opposing it. The collegium headed by CJI DY Chandrachud had recommended five judges for promotion to the Supreme Court on December 13 last year.
Later, on January 31, the Collegium also recommended the names of Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Arvind Kumar as Supreme Court judges.
The chairman of the collegium is CJI DY Chandrachud. The Supreme Court has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges and is currently working with 27 judges. Thus, there are seven vacancies.
