New Delhi: A panel of eminent jurists on Friday
expressed concern over the report of keeping the elevation of
Allahabad High Court Chief Justice as judge of Supreme Court
on hold saying the Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India
should not recommend any name without proper verification.
"We note for the second time in quick succession the
recommendation of Collegium for appointment of judges to the
Supreme Court have been returned by the government," the
Committee on Judicial Accountability said in a statement.
The committee, which comprises eminent jurists, including
Ram Jethmalani, Shanti Bhushan, Fali S Nariman and advocate
Prashant Bhushan, described the case of Allahabad High Court
Chief Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad as "disturbing".
"We are disturbed that recommendation have been made
without any transparency and proper verification of the
antecedents and reputation of those recommended," the
statement said.
The jurists made reference to Karnataka High Court
Chief Justice P D Dinakaran whose elevation has been put in
abeyance and said some of the allegations against him have
been subsequently confirmed by the District Magistrate and
impeachment motion being admitted by the Rajya Sabha Chairman
Hamid Ansari.
They asked the Supreme-Court Collegium to recommend names
after public debate and participatory procedure.
"Members of Bar and public should be enable to show
relevant information that they might be having about proposed
appointment," the statement said.
PTI
