70 Collegium proposals pending: Supreme Court says will monitor, not be quiet

The bench will hear the matter next on October 9.

It is hearing a plea by the Advocates’ Association of Bengaluru which is seeking contempt of court proceedings against the government for alleged delay on its part in the matter of appointment of judges.

Justice Kaul said, “In some ways, we have endeavoured to push these things. Now we want to monitor it closely.”

The bench told Venkataramani that 70 recommendations made by the Collegium since November 11, 2022 are currently pending with the government.

Giving the break-up, Justice Kaul said the “number of names reiterated is 7” while “9 names have been proposed for the first time.”

He said there is one Chief Justice promotion and 26 transfers “which means 70 names recommended from November 11, 2022”.

The number of pending files, Justice Kaul said, was 80 until four days ago, but since then, the government had cleared 10 names. “So, the present figure is 70.”

The bench pointed out that one of the pending files is that of the appointment of the Chief Justice of a “sensitive High Court”.

This was an apparent reference to the Manipur High Court for which the Collegium, on July 5 this year, had recommended the appointment of Delhi High Court judge Justice Siddharth Mridul as Chief Justice.

The bench asked Venkataramani to take instructions in the matter. He assured he would do so and sought a week’s time.

Responding to submissions by advocate Prasanth Bhushan, who appeared for NGO Common Cause, which is also a party in the matter, Justice Kaul said the delay over the recommendations makes some withdraw their names.

“With the assurance from AG that till it is done, every 10 days-12 days at least, I will take up the matter. I thought of saying a lot, but since the Attorney General is asking for 7 days, I am holding myself,” he said.

“If he can get everything done, I have nothing to do, I will be more than happy,” Justice Kaul said.