Info on non-appointment of judges sought by SC

RAP | Make a list of names. Why it is pending and at what level. Show us why it is pending, government draws top court's ire

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to provide information about the numbers and names reiterated by the SC Collegium for appointment as judges in higher judiciary with reasons why they were not considered so far and at what level they were pending.

The direction was passed by a bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud while hearing a PIL seeking a direction that a time limit be fixed for the Centre to notify the appointment of judges recommended by the SC Collegium.

"The Supreme Court Collegium is not a search committee (for judges) whose recommendations can be stalled," said the bench, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

The bench asked attorney general R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, to provide it with a list of names reiterated by the collegium and say "why they are pending and at what level". "If you can please make a list of the names reiterated and why it is pending and at what level it is pending... Show us why it is pending," the CJI said.