- Monday, February 24, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA’S Chief justice NV Ramana on Wednesday (18) expressed his dissatisfaction over “speculations and reports” in the media about the meeting of the Supreme Court collegium regarding appointment of Supreme Court judges. He called it “very unfortunate”.
Speaking at a ceremonial function to bid farewell to Justice Navin Sinha of the apex court who retired the same day, Ramana said the process of appointing judges is sacrosanct and the media needs to understand that.
“On this occasion I want to take the liberty to express my concern about certain speculations and reports in the media. You are all aware we need to appoint judges to this court. The process is ongoing. Meetings will be held and decisions will be taken. The process of appointment of judges is sacrosanct and has certain dignity attached to it. My media friends must understand and recognise the sanctity of this process,” he said.
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He also said that as an institution, the apex court holds the media’s freedom and individuals’ rights in high esteem and the reflections in some sections of the media before the formalisation of the resolution is not desirable.
“There were instances of deserving career progression of bright talents getting marred because of such irresponsible reporting and speculation. This is very unfortunate and I am extremely upset about it,” he said. Ramana was referring to media reports that said the collegium has recommended nine names for appointment as judges in the Supreme Court.
He also lauded the “tremendous amount of maturity and responsibility” displayed by majority of senior journalists and media houses in showing restraint and not speculating on such a serious matter.
“Such professional journalists and ethical media are the real strength of the Supreme Court in particular and democracy in general. You are part of our system. I expect all the stakeholders to uphold the integrity and dignity of this institution,” he said.
With the retirement of Justice R F Nariman on August 12, the strength of judges in the apex court had come down to 25 as against the sanctioned strength of 34, including the chief justice. No appointment has also been made since the superannuation of former CJI Ranjan Gogoi in March 2019.
According to the sources, the five-member collegium, which also comprises Justices U U Lalit, A M Khanwilkar, L Nageshwara Rao and D Y Chandrachud, has sent names of three women judges, including Justice B V Nagarathna from the Karnataka High Court who could become India’s first-ever woman CJI. Informed sources said the other two women judges picked are Justice Hima Kohli, the chief justice of Telangana High Court, and Justice Bela Trivedi, a judge from Gujarat High Court.
The collegium has also reportedly selected senior advocate and former additional solicitor general P S Narasimha for direct appointment from the Bar.
The recommendations, if accepted, will fill all current vacancies taking the working strength in the apex court to 33.
