In a swift decision, the Centre cleared the Supreme Court collegium’s recommendations and appointed Chief Justices for eight high courts, just a day after the SC sought explanation from it for the delay in appointments. Significantly, it also appointed the Chief Justice of Jharkhand HC, for which the state had moved a contempt plea against the Centre in the Supreme Court.
The President has signed warrants of appointment for the Chief Justices of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madras, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Jharkhand.
The govt’s quick decision would perhaps ensure that differences between the executive and the judiciary on the issue of appointments in the higher judiciary do no snowball into a tussle and tug of-war as witnessed in judicial proceedings last year when the apex court expressed its deep displeasure over the Centre not adhering to the law. It had gone to the extent of saying that the collegium system for appointment of judges was the law of the land and the Centre was bound to follow it and in case of reiteration, govt has no option but to accept the collegium’s decision.
The govt has appointed acting Chief Justice of Delhi HC Justice Manmohan as its Chief Justice. Delhi HC judge Justice Rajiv Shakdher has been appointed as Chief Justice of Himachal HC. Another Delhi HC judge, Justice Suresh Kait will take charge as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh HC.
