SC deadline for Centre on judges’ appointment

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 20

The Supreme Court on Tuesday set deadlines for the Centre and Intelligence Bureau (IB) to clear the names recommended by the Collegium for appointment as judges of high courts, saying it would “facilitate timely appointments”.

“The IB should submit its report/inputs within 4 to 6 weeks from the date of recommendation of the High Court Collegium, to the Central Government. It would be desirable that the Centre forwards the file(s)/recommendations to the Supreme Court within 8 to 12 weeks from the date of receipt of views from the state government and the report/input from the IB,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde said.

“It would be for the government to thereafter proceed to make the appointment immediately on the aforesaid consideration and undoubtedly if government has any reservations on suitability or in public interest, within the same period of time it may be sent back to the SC Collegium with the specific reasons. If the Collegium, after consideration of the inputs, still reiterates the recommendation(s) unanimously, such appointment should be processed and appointment should be made within 3 to 4 weeks,” the top court said.