Bar & Bench | February 27, 2019

The Supreme Court Collegium has decided not to elevate three High Court Chief Justices because of unusual reasons, reports The Telegraph.

As per the report, the name of one of the Chief Justices was declined because he took leave and went to play golf on working days.

A second Chief Justice was not considered because he has been frequently using helicopters of the concerned State government.

The reason for turning down the candidature of a third Chief Justice was that he passed adverse orders against a public service commission to “please a retired Supreme Court judge.” He did so after receiving a letter from the retired Supreme Court judge.

The Collegium has decided not to make the details of the judges public as it could adversely affect their continuance in office.

The nature of the adverse findings has been categorised as “judicial misconduct”, “lack of judicial discipline”, “frequent absence” and passing orders not in “sync with the high judicial standards expected of any judge”.

The Collegium comprises CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices AK Sikri, SA Bobde, NV Ramana and Arun Mishra.

It is not clear whether the decision to turn down the candidature of the three High Court Chief Justices is unanimous or not.

The article is first published in Bar & Bench. It can be read here.