New Delhi: Senior Advocate Saurabh Kirpal who is openly gay said that his sexuality made the government not elevating him to become a judge.
Talking at the Sahitya Aajtak 2022 event in Delhi, Saurabh Kirpal on Saturday said 11 of the 12 recommendations for judges with the sole exclusion of him have been appointed.
Describing all other alleged reasons against his appointment are false, he pinned down on his sexuality as the possible reason.
At Sahitya Aajtak 2022, Kirpal launched of his book 'Fifteen Judgements: Cases that have Shaped the Financial Landscape of India' at Sahitya AajTak 2022 on November 19.
Talking to India Today's Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai Kirpal said he learnt from sources at the Collegium the reason behind his being not a judge was his sexuality.
He said he had made no interaction with the government in order to know the reason why he was not appointed, believing that she should not do so being a candidate.
Approaching the government on the issue, according to him, would amount to starting his judicial career on a weak footing.
He added that a judge requires independence from very inception of the career.
When asked if he feels less than equal, he said he felt less than equal after being rejected by the institution he is part of and the government for being honest and candid about his sexuality.
Kirpal said he would not withdraw his consent for judgeship, adding that the reason for accepting judgeship was about personal service not personal ambition.