SC collegium breaks tradition, meets HC judgeship candidates

In a significant departure from tradition, the Supreme Court collegium on Sunday conducted interactions with candidates being considered for high court judgeship, according to people aware of the matter — a move that marks an evolution in the judicial appointment process.

- Utkarsh Anand

The development comes in the wake of a recent controversy involving an Allahabad high court judge's contentious remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) event earlier this month.

Some members of the collegium, including Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, believed that meeting prospective judges in person was essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of their suitability for elevation.

"After the meeting with the Allahabad high court judge and the way the deliberation proceeded, this view got fortified that it was crucial to meet the prospective judges rather than just go by the words on their files," said a person aware of the matter.

The three-member collegium, comprising CJI Sanjiv Khanna and justices Bhushan R Gavai and Surya Kant, met with the candidates to gain a deeper understanding of their personalities and suitability for elevation. The candidates, including judicial officers and advocates who were being considered for high courts of Rajasthan, Allahabad and Bombay, were called to the Supreme Court on Sunday where the country's top three judges talked to them.