Above: (Left) Justice K M Joseph and Justice Anirudha Bose

The Supreme Court Collegium on Friday (July 20) took a strong stance and returned to the Centre its earlier recommendations on judge postings. Chief among the names returned for reconsideration were that of Uttarakhand high Court Chief Justice K M Joseph (for elevation to the top court) and Justice Aniruddha Bose of the Calcutta High Court.

Bose’s name was originally recommended as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, but in the fresh set his name was recommended as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.

The two names, among others, had been returned with objections by the Centre. On Justice Joseph, a judge who had defied the Centre and nullified President’s rule in that state, the Centre had given a reason of him being junior and coming from the same parent high court as others already in the top court.

Regarding Justice Bose, apart from the regional angle, the “junior” angle was also flaunted by the Centre. The change to Jharkhand might be a tactical move. Technically, as per tradition and established norms, once the Collegium sends back its recommendations the Centre is bound to accept it.

The decision was taken by the Collegium on Friday afternoon. Other decision reiterated were the recommendations of Orissa High Court Chief Justice Vineet Saran and Madras High Court Chief Justice Indira Banerjee to the Supreme Court.

See the Collegium recommendations below: 

 

 

 

—India Legal Bureau