HC summons Hry chief secy over 'contemptuous' letter

The Punjab and Haryana high court has summoned Haryana chief secretary Sanjeev Kaushal on Thursday over the "contemptuous" content of a letter purportedly written on the "recommendation of the chief minister" to the high court, rejecting a list of names proposed for appointment as additional district and sessions judges (ADJs) in the state

Thirteen names were recommended by high court for appointment as ADJs. However, as the government did not notify the names, on September 6, some judicial officers, approached the high court on the judicial side, seeking directions to the state government to conclude the process of selection and notification of appointments. Acting on the plea, the high court then sought a status report from the government and observed that it did not see "any tangible reason as to why the state should drag its feet in issuing the requisite notification" in view of the provision of Article 233 of the Constitution that says appointments would be made by the government in "consultation" with the high court concerned.