Bilkis Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gangraped while fleeing the riots that broke out after the Godhra train burning in 2002.
Tag: Chief Justice of India
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CJI Ramana hails media for cooperative in disseminating information about judiciary
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana on Friday hailed the media for disseminating information about the judiciary and termed it as an ‘active partner’ in the collaborative project of strengthening the judicial system.
Justice Ramana, who succeeded S A Bobde on April 24, 2021 as the CJI, was delivering his address at a function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in the apex court’s auditorium to bid him adieu on completion of his over 16-month-long tenure as head of the judiciary.
“The media has been extremely cooperative in disseminating the information about the judiciary. You share the equal burden of dispelling myths and notions. I thank you for being an active partner in this collaborative project of strengthening the judiciary,” the outgoing CJI said.
“I thank each one of the journalists who have been covering the proceedings of the Supreme Court diligently, efficiently, and instantly,” he added.
Born on August 27, 1957, Justice Ramana was enrolled as an advocate on February 10, 1983.
He was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on June 27, 2000, and functioned as acting Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court from March 10, 2013, to May 20, 2013.
Justice Ramana was elevated as the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on September 2, 2013, and was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court on February 17, 2014.
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana on Friday hailed the media for disseminating information about the judiciary and termed it as an ‘active partner’ in the collaborative project of strengthening the judicial system.
Justice Ramana, who succeeded S A Bobde on April 24, 2021 as the CJI, was delivering his address at a function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in the apex court’s auditorium to bid him adieu on completion of his over 16-month-long tenure as head of the judiciary.
“The media has been extremely cooperative in disseminating the information about the judiciary. You share the equal burden of dispelling myths and notions. I thank you for being an active partner in this collaborative project of strengthening the judiciary,” the outgoing CJI said.
“I thank each one of the journalists who have been covering the proceedings of the Supreme Court diligently, efficiently, and instantly,” he added.
Born on August 27, 1957, Justice Ramana was enrolled as an advocate on February 10, 1983.
He was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on June 27, 2000, and functioned as acting Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court from March 10, 2013, to May 20, 2013.
Justice Ramana was elevated as the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on September 2, 2013, and was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court on February 17, 2014.
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Media must confine itself to honest journalism, not use influence to expand business: CJI Ramana
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Media must confine itself to honest journalism and not use it as a tool to expand its influence and business interests, said Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana on Tuesday.
Ramana said a media house with “other business interests” becomes vulnerable to external pressures and often business interests prevail over the spirit of independent journalism which compromises democracy.
Asserting that independent journalism is the “backbone of democracy”, the CJI “a former journalist– also urged the stakeholders to introspect why the standards here are not considered good enough for international recognition and laurel in the field of journalism.” He was speaking at the launch of Gulab Chand Kothari’s book titled ‘The Gita Vijnana Upanishad’.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla presided over the event.
Last week, the CJI had raised similar concerns and said, “agenda-driven debates” and “kangaroo courts” being run by media are detrimental to the health of democracy.
These recent remarks by Ramana assume significance following the backlash to a verdict earlier this month on former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Mohammad, which the Supreme Court said had stoked communal tension across the country.
“When a media house has other business interests, it becomes vulnerable to external pressures. Often, business interests prevail over the spirit of independent journalism. As a result, democracy gets compromised,” Ramana said on Tuesday.
“Journalists are the eyes and the ears of the people. It is the responsibility of media houses to present facts. Especially in the Indian social scenario, people still believe that whatever is printed is true. All I want to say is that the media must confine itself to honest journalism without using it as a tool to expand its influence and business interests,” he said.
While the country’s senior-most judge acknowledged the presence of “journalists who are equally enthused in today’s media”, he remarked that when a brilliant story filed by a journalist is killed at the desk, it is thoroughly demoralising.
He said the “true nature” of a media house would be assessed and appropriate conclusions drawn from their conduct during testing times as he recollected that “only media houses without business baggage, were able to fight for democracy during the dark days of Emergency”.
CJI Ramana also said there was no “systemic support” for journalists in the country and neither was there an award which was comparable to the Pulitzer or “many Pulitzer winning journalists”.
NEW DELHI: Media must confine itself to honest journalism and not use it as a tool to expand its influence and business interests, said Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana on Tuesday.
Ramana said a media house with “other business interests” becomes vulnerable to external pressures and often business interests prevail over the spirit of independent journalism which compromises democracy.
Asserting that independent journalism is the “backbone of democracy”, the CJI “a former journalist– also urged the stakeholders to introspect why the standards here are not considered good enough for international recognition and laurel in the field of journalism.” He was speaking at the launch of Gulab Chand Kothari’s book titled ‘The Gita Vijnana Upanishad’.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla presided over the event.
Last week, the CJI had raised similar concerns and said, “agenda-driven debates” and “kangaroo courts” being run by media are detrimental to the health of democracy.
These recent remarks by Ramana assume significance following the backlash to a verdict earlier this month on former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Mohammad, which the Supreme Court said had stoked communal tension across the country.
“When a media house has other business interests, it becomes vulnerable to external pressures. Often, business interests prevail over the spirit of independent journalism. As a result, democracy gets compromised,” Ramana said on Tuesday.
“Journalists are the eyes and the ears of the people. It is the responsibility of media houses to present facts. Especially in the Indian social scenario, people still believe that whatever is printed is true. All I want to say is that the media must confine itself to honest journalism without using it as a tool to expand its influence and business interests,” he said.
While the country’s senior-most judge acknowledged the presence of “journalists who are equally enthused in today’s media”, he remarked that when a brilliant story filed by a journalist is killed at the desk, it is thoroughly demoralising.
He said the “true nature” of a media house would be assessed and appropriate conclusions drawn from their conduct during testing times as he recollected that “only media houses without business baggage, were able to fight for democracy during the dark days of Emergency”.
CJI Ramana also said there was no “systemic support” for journalists in the country and neither was there an award which was comparable to the Pulitzer or “many Pulitzer winning journalists”.
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Slandering of people in higher positions on rise: CJI NV Ramana
By PTI
HYDERABAD: Observing that there has been an increase in people deriving sadistic pleasure by misinterpreting court judgements in recent times, Chief Justice of India Justice NV Ramana on Thursday said all are friends to the judiciary as long as they do not cross their limits.
Speaking at the launch function of 32 new judicial districts here at the Telangana High Court, Justice Ramana said judiciary is not a system that works for selfish motives of certain sections and “some friends” should remember that judiciary always works to upkeep people’s democratic rights always in accordance with the Constitution.
Expressing dissatisfaction over non-creation of national judicial infrastructure body, the idea mooted by him after he became the Chief Justice, Justice Ramana said some states lost the opportunity to pass a unanimous resolution in this regard during the recently held joint conference of chief ministers and chief justices of high courts.
“Benefits of the society and system are utmost important to the judiciary. In recent times it has become easy to slander people who are in higher positions. Those who could not achieve their selfish goals through the system are giving misinterpretation to courts’ judgements through which the number of people who get sadistic pleasure is also increasing. This is an unfortunate development,” Justice Ramana said.
“All are friends to the judiciary as long as they don’t cross their limits. Sparing the ones who cross their limits is anti-constitutional. I request those friends to keep this in mind.”
Without referring to any particular section Justice Ramana said, “some friends” who do not have proper understanding of the legal system should know that judiciary is not a system that works for selfish motives of certain sections.
It works to upkeep people’s democratic rights always in accordance with the constitution.
He stressed that it was the responsibility of every citizen of this country to ensure a stronger democracy, by up keeping judiciary as an independent body.
Justice Ramana further said the erstwhile 13 judicial districts in Telangana have now become 35, which is first of its kind development in the country.
He said the Telangana government has taken an initiative to decentralise the administration (by creating new districts) as a result judiciary was also expanded thus providing services to people who are seek legal remedies.
He thanked Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who was also present in the meeting, for providing necessary infrastructure for new courts.
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‘Dancing on razor’s edge’: CJI on journalists’ work in present time
By IANS
NEW DELHI: Speaking truth to power and holding up a mirror to society is an immense responsibility that is extremely difficult to fulfil and there is enormous pressure and stress upon journalists, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said on Wednesday.
“In the contemporary world, performing duty as a journalist is akin to dancing on razor’s edge,” he said.
“As someone who started his professional career as a journalist, I can understand your difficulties and struggles,” the CJI said in a keynote address at the Red Ink Awards 2021, awarded for excellence in journalism.”
“You are on your feet for long hours and constantly on call and working. Holidays are few and far between and finding time to spend with family is difficult. The stress on your family is also immense. The wages too are not very encouraging. Women, particularly beyond metros, still find it difficult to gain a foothold in the profession,” he said.
Further, the CJI that those who are serving in conflict zones are willing to risk their lives.
“Those on regular beats are also no longer safe. Some of those in powerful positions, both political leaders and bureaucracy, the mafia of all shades, and those on the wrong side of the law – none of them are comfortable with the professional journalists. As a result, you keep getting unpleasant and disturbing messages. I know it is not easy for you and your families to deal with such threats. Another worrisome trend is the concerted effort to bracket journalists into a particular category. I can imagine how painful it is,” he said.
Yet, he stressed, “it is an extremely satisfying profession to pursue. It is often said that the legal profession is a noble profession. I can state that the journalist’s job is as noble and is an integral pillar of democracy. Like the legal professional, a journalistAalso needs to have a strong moral fibre and moral compass. Your conscience is your guide in this profession”.
He also noted that the freedom of the press is a valuable and sacred right enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
“Without such freedom, there cannot be discussion and debate that is essential for the growth of democracy. There can be no flow of information that the public requires, and that democracy demands,” he added.
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Important to protect, promote independence and integrity of judiciary at all levels: CJI NV Ramana
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Sunday said the mind of the Indian judiciary can be known to millions largely through the actions of trial courts and district judiciary and therefore, nothing is more important than to ‘preserve, protect and promote’ the independence and integrity of the judiciary at all levels.
He said the Indian judiciary has always remained in the forefront of shaping the welfare state and the decisions of the constitutional courts of the country have enabled social democracy to thrive.
Speaking at the valedictory function of Legal Awareness and Outreach Campaign under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the Chief Justice said, “Despite our being a part of a welfare state, benefits are not trickling down to the intended beneficiaries at the desired levels. People’s aspirations about leading a dignified life are often met with challenges. One of them, primarily, being poverty/”
“The mind of the Indian judiciary can be known to millions largely through the actions of the Trial Court and the District judiciary. For an overwhelming majority of litigants, what is real and existing is only the district judiciary. Without robust justice delivery system at the grassroot level, we cannot imagine a healthy judiciary. Therefore, nothing is more important than to preserve, protect and promote the independence and integrity of the judiciary at all levels,” he said.
CJI Ramana, who was addressing chief justices and judges from high courts for the first time in non-virtual mode, said, “Together, we have been handling the responsibilities entrusted to us by the constitution with utmost sincerity and commitment. The immense trust reposed by the public at large upon the judiciary, as a last resort of hope, stands testimony to this fact. The Supreme Court and the high courts are hugely conscious of the constitutional scheme, which is honoured in letter and spirit by all of us.”
He urged the judges that since decisions of the constitutional court have a huge social impact, they should be easily comprehensible and must be written in simple and clear language.
“Today, I can state that we all have sincerely worked to live up to the aspirations of the framers of our constitution. The Indian judiciary has always remained in the forefront in shaping this welfare state. The decisions of the constitutional courts of this country have enabled social democracy to thrive,” he said in the programme which was attended by Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani.
CJI Ramana said the ability of constitutional courts to function with absolute independence and necessary boldness in the face of adversity defines the character of the institution.
“Our ability to uphold the constitution sustains our impeccable character. There is no other way to live up to the faith of our people,” he said, adding that the stark divide between haves and have nots is still a reality and “no matter how many cherished declarations we successfully arrive it, in the face of poverty, inequity and deprivations, it will all seem pointless.”
The Chief Justice of India said this is where initiatives like the intensive awareness campaign launched by NALSA on Gandhi Jayanti assume importance and these schemes and activities of NALSA act as a necessary bridge ensuring access between the benefactor and the beneficiary.
Emphasising on the role of high courts, the CJI said it assumes great importance as they are entrusted with the duty to supervise and oversee the functioning of all the other courts in the state.
“The state judiciary, being closely associated with the people, has to be sensitive and aware about their problems and practical difficulties. In particular, it needs to be cognizant about both victims as well as accused, and must facilitate their emergency needs. After all, the law needs to operate humanely. Remember, it is the trial court which is approached first by a woman in distress, a child in need of care, or an illegal detenue,” he said.
Urging law students and senior lawyers to participate in the campaign, he said that people who are suffering do not look for well dressed, erudite lawyers or colossal court buildings and all they want is to be relieved of their pain quickly, without exhausting all their resources.
“The importance of law students in our legal aid movement cannot be understated. An active interest by the younger population in eradicating the existing social problems will definitely pave the way for a brighter India. The State Legal Services Authorities must ensure larger participation of the students in the legal aid movement,” he said.
Irani said the next 75 years of independent India need to be equally about responsibility of citizens towards the community and the nation, and not just rights.
Justice U U Lalit, the executive chairman of NALSA, appreciated the efforts of para-legal volunteers and other personnel involved in the campaign and said since October 2, a total of 19 lakh villages were covered under the programme.
Attorney General K K Venugopal appreciated the efforts of Justice Lalit in ensuring a successful campaign and said that he himself went to different states of the country and on one day in Ladakh and on another he was found in Kanyakumari.
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Supreme Court unhappy over false tweet claiming CJI met victims of Lakhimpur Kheri violence
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Expressing displeasure over a tweet posted by a media organisation which falsely claimed that Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana had met the kin of victims of Lakhmipur Kheri violence, the Supreme Court Friday said it respects the media and their independence but this is “not at all fair”.
The apex court, which was hearing the Lakhimpur Kheri violence matter, termed the tweet “very unfortunate” and said the media should verify the facts.
“We are sorry to observe that somebody is exceeding the limit of freedom of speech. They should verify the facts. These are all false representations which is being done,” said a bench, comprising the CJI and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli.
ALSO READ | Amid clamour to arrest son in Lakhimpur violence case, MoS Ajay Mishra says Ashish ‘innocent’
The issue cropped up when an advocate told the bench that on Thursday, a media organisation had posted a tweet which said the CJI had met the kin of victims of Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
“All of us are at the receiving end of irresponsible tweets. I have seen some about myself also,” said senior advocate Harish Salve, who was appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government.
CJI Ramana said, “They must have some sense because I was sitting in the court. How can I go to Lucknow and visit the family.”
“Leave it there. We should not bother about these things. In public life, we have to receive…,” the CJI said.
Justice Surya Kant said the court expects they should come out with a bona fide and voluntary report to say “this is what we have done”.
“We respect the media and their independence but this is not the way to cross it. This is not at all fair,” Justice Kohli said.
ALSO READ | No action will be taken under pressure, without evidence: CM Yogi on Lakhimpur violence case
“It is part and parcel of public life. Let it be,” the CJI said.
The top court said it is not satisfied with the steps taken by the Uttar Pradesh government in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case in which eight persons were killed on October 3.
The bench told Salve to communicate to the top most police official that evidence and other relevant materials in the case are not destroyed.
The court has posted the matter for hearing on October 20.
Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV in Lakhimpur Kheri when a group agitating against the Centre’s three new farm laws was holding a demonstration against the visit of UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on October 3.
Two BJP workers and a driver were beaten to death allegedly by the angry protesters, while a local journalist was also killed in the violence.
ALSO READ | SC criticizes Yogi govt’s probe in Lakhimpur violence case, asks why accused not arrested yet
An FIR under section 302 of the IPC has been registered against the Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra and others in the incident in Tikonia police station but no arrest has been made so far.
Farmer leaders have claimed that Ashish was in one of the cars that allegedly knocked down the protesters but the minister has denied the allegations.
Several farmer organisations are protesting against the passage of three laws — The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 since last November.
The apex court had stayed the implementation of these laws in January.
Initially, the protests started from Punjab in November last year and later spread to Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
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‘It’s a matter of right, not charity’: CJI Ramana asks women lawyers to demand 50% reservation in judiciary
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India N V Ramana on Sunday exhorted women lawyers to strongly raise their demand for 50 per cent reservation in the judiciary while assuring them of his “total support”.
“I don’t want you to cry but with anger, you have to shout and demand that we need 50 per cent reservation,” he said.
The CJI said that it’s an issue of thousands of years of suppression and women are entitled to the reservation and added, “It’s a matter of right, and not a matter a charity.”
He said, “I want to say that I strongly recommend and support the demand of a certain percentage of reservation in all law schools of the country for women, so that they can join the judiciary.”
Speaking at a felicitation function organised by Lady Advocates of Supreme Court for the nine newly appointed judges, including three women judges, CJI Ramana said he has modified Karl Marx’s quote “Workers of the world unite. You have nothing to lose but your chain” for the occasion and added: “Women of the world unite. You have nothing to lose but your chain.”
The CJI said, “You all are laughing. Yes, I don’t want you to cry but with anger, you have to shout and demand that we need 50 per cent reservation. It’s not a small issue but an issue of thousands of years of suppression. It is high time we have 50 per cent representation of women in the judiciary. You are entitled (to it), it’s a matter of right. It is not a matter a charity. It is unfortunate that some things are realised very late.”
He said he will be “very happy” whenever the goal will be realised.
“All my sisters and all of you have carved out exceptions for people in the society and women of the society and for that matter youngsters whether male or female are all waiting and looking at you as if you are role models.
“Your success stories will make them more impulsive and we expect more women will join the profession and we will achieve the goal of 50 per cent shortly. I wholeheartedly support all initiatives taken by you and so long as I am here I will support all of your causes,” he said.
The Chief Justice of India said that he believes in mixing with people, knowing about their ideas so that he understands what is the problem the society is facing, but added these days he is visiting lots of places and has got bored of giving speeches.
“After coming back yesterday night from Odisha, I collected some information about the system in which we are working. In the entire country…in subordinate judiciary less than 30 per cent are women, in high courts women judges are 11.5 per cent and in Supreme Court four women judges out of 33…(that is) 11 or 12 per cent,” the CJI said.
He said that out of 1.7 million advocates in the country only 15 per cent are women and only two per cent elected representatives in the state bar councils are women.
“The other day I have told Bar council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, what is this in your bar council national committee you don’t have any single woman member represented, this needs urgent correction,” he said.
CJI Ramana further said that people will often say easily that it is difficult to have 50 per cent reservation because women have a lot of problems but that’s not correct.
“I do agree that there is an uncomfortable environment, lack of infrastructure, crowded courtrooms, lack of washrooms, lack of creches and lack of sitting places, which are some of the major issues which are unfriendly to the women lawyers in the system,” he said.
He said that after gathering information about the prevailing conditions throughout the country he is proposing for Judicial Infrastructure Corporation, which is the need of the hour.
“In 6,000 courts across the country, 22 per cent of them do not have separate toilets (for women) and even lady officers also have to suffer from this,” the CJI said.
These are the ground realities which we have to tackle immediately and that is the reason why I am proposing certain issues to the executive to take and correct this,” he added.
With regard to lawyers’ demand for opening of the top court for physical hearings which has been held virtually since the outset of the pandemic, the CJI said that hopefully after Dussehra vacation it may resume.
“The problem is you know we have limited opening (both virtual and physical) but majority of the advocates do not prefer, I don’t know why but for whatever reasons, particularly senior counsels have some reservations but youngsters and other lawyers are willing to come,” he said.
He said that senior advocate Vikas Singh, who is president of Supreme Court Bar Association, has raised certain issues with regard to hybrid hearing SOP and it is being corrected and made more liberal.
“We can expect full opening of the courts but the problem is we don’t want to take any risk because of the medical advice and suddenly they may say that there may be a third or fourth wave. …So you hope that there are no waves and most probably after Dussehra vacation, I think we can go for physical hearing,” CJI Ramana said.
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Need to Indianise our legal system, says CJI Ramana
By Express News Service
BENGALURU: Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, who was in Bengaluru on Saturday, said, “The need of the hour is ‘Indianisation’ of our legal system, as our system, practices and rules, being colonial in origin, may not best suited to the needs of the Indian population. Also, the working of courts do not sit well with the complexities of India.”
He was speaking on the ‘Indian Judicial-Legal System’ after paying tributes to Justice Mohan M Shantanagoudar at a function organised by the Karnataka State Bar Council at Vidhana Soudha. “When I say Indianisation, I mean the need to adapt to the practical realities of our society and localise our justice delivery system,” he said.
‘Crucial to make justice delivery transparent’
“Parties from a rural area fighting a family dispute are usually made to feel out of place in the court. They do not understand the arguments or pleadings which are mostly in English, a language alien to them. These days, judgements have become lengthy which further complicates the position of litigants. To understand the implications of a judgement, they are forced to spend more money,” CJI Ramana added.
Simplification of justice delivery should be our pressing concern. It is crucial to make justice delivery more transparent, accessible and effective. The procedural barriers often undermine access to justice. The common man should not be apprehensive about approaching the court and authorities. It is the duty of lawyers and judges to create an environment which is comforting to the litigants and other stakeholders,” he said.
“We must not forget that the focal point of any justice delivery system is the litigant, the justice seeker. The use of alternative dispute mechanisms, such as mediation and conciliation, would go a long way in reducing the friction between parties and save resources. This also reduces the pendency and requirement of having lengthy arguments and lengthy judgements”, he opined.
Touching incidentTalking about Justice Late Shantanagoudar, CJI Ramana narrated an incident which touched his heart. One day, CJI Ramana lost a gemstone of his finger ring that was given to him by Sathya Sai Baba after his elevation as a Supreme Court judge. Both he and Justice Shantanagoudar were upset. It was extremelydifficult to search for the gemstone in the lounges and corridors of the Supreme Court which are large. But within half an hour, Justice Shantanagoudar found the gem. He had personally searched the entire premises and traced the precious stone. Releasing a documentary on Justice Shantanagoudar, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said there is a need to set up a chair in a university in the name of the Justice Shantanagoudar.
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New Chief Justices for Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra among SC collegium’s picks
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court collegium is learnt to have proposed the promotion and/or transfer of as many as 28 high court judges, including eight elevations as chief justices and five transfers of sitting chief justices. According to sources, a three-member collegium headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana recommended the promotion and transfer of acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court Justice Rajesh Bindal as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.
Interestingly, Tripura High Court Justice Akil Kureshi, who was overlooked for promotion to the Supreme Court a few weeks ago though he was second in all-India seniority, is proposed to be transferred to the Rajasthan High Court. Whether the Centre will accept the recommendation remains to be seen, as it had spiked an earlier proposal to appoint him as chief justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Sitting Chief Justice of Rajasthan Justice Indrajit Mohanty is proposed to swap places with Justice Kureshi in Tripura. Justice Mohanty is due to retire in November this year. The other proposed transfers of CJs are Justice Arup Kumar Goswami from Andhra Pradesh to Chhattisgarh, Justice Mohammad Rafiq from Madhya Pradesh to Himachal Pradesh, and Justice Biswanath Somadder from Meghalaya to Sikkim.
Those recommended for elevation as chief justices include Justice Prashan Kumar Mishra for Andhra HC, Justice Prakash Srivastava for Calcutta; Justice Aravind Kumar for Gujarat; Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi for Karnataka; Justice R V Malimath for Madhya Pradesh; Justice Ranjit V More for Meghalaya and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma for Telangana. The recommendations came shortly after 68 names for judgeship in 12 HCs were cleared in one shot.