Attorney General Shares ‘Sensitive Information,’ Delaying Collegium Resolutions, with the Supreme Court

On September 13, 2024, Attorney General (AG) of India R Venkataramani told the Supreme Court (SC) bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra that he wanted to share ‘sensitive information’ regarding the recommendations made by the SC Collegium which are pending with the Union Government. The AG informed the bench that he would like to hand over the information in a sealed cover along with his suggestions. He said, “I have received some information…I'll share it, information is confidential, sensitive, I'd like to place it on record.” CJI said, “Mr. Attorney just sort it out, I had a word with you last week.” The matter will now be heard by the top court bench on September 20, 2024. 

This statement by the AG, who appeared for the Union, came in response to a PIL filed by Advocate Harsh Vibhore Singhal seeking directions for time-bound implementation of the Collegium Resolutions for judges' appointments. The plea also stated that if no objections are raised or the appointments are not notified within the specified period then the appointments should be considered confirmed. Earlier in July this year, the SC Collegium recommended the appointment of new Chief Justices in different High Courts which are yet to be executed by the Union Government. The recommendations made by the Collegium comprising the CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and Justice BR Gavai are as follows:

• Justice Manmohan- Presently the Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court- Proposed to be made the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.
• Justice M S Ramachandra Rao- Presently the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court- Proposed to be transferred as the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court on the retirement of incumbent CJ Dr. BR Sarangi on 19.7.2024.
• Justice Rajiv Shakdher- Delhi High Court Judge- Proposed to be made the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court in the future vacancy which would arise on the transfer of Justice Ramachandra Rao to Jharkhand.
• Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia- Punjab & Haryana High Court Judge- Proposed to be made Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
• Justice Suresh Kait- Delhi High Court judge- Proposed to be made Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in the future vacancy that would arise if the proposal to elevate the incumbent CJ N Kotiswar Singh is accepted.
• Justice Nitin Jamdar- Bombay High Court judge- Proposed to be made Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
• Justice K R Shriram- Bombay High Court judge- Proposed to be made Chief Justice of the Madras High Court
• Justice Tashi Rabstan- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court judge- Proposed to be made Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court after the retirement of incumbent CJ Vaidyanathan on August 16.