Justice Chelameswar writes to CJI, seeks full court discussion on govt interference
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Justice Jasti Chelameswar, the number-two judge in Supreme Court pecking order, last week wrote to Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, seeking a full court on the judicial side to discuss the matter of government interference in the appointment of judges to high courts, The Indian Express has reported.
Justice Chelameshwar questioned an enquiry initiated by Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari against a district judge P Krishna Bhat recommended twice by the Supreme Court collegium for elevation to the High Court without first referring the matter to the CJI, according to media reports.
According to the Indian express report, CJI Misra has not responded to the letter yet.
In a five-page letter, Justice Chelameswar states that the government has been selective in accepting recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium for the appointment of judges to high courts. The letter, apparently, also states that the government chooses to ignore or defer the names it finds uncomfortable; this affects the independence of the judiciary.