Addl judges: Govt not to process new recommendations until SC nod to MoP

The government has decided against processing fresh recommendations made by 10 High Courts for appointment of 110 additional judges till the Supreme Court ratifies the revised draft of the memorandum of procedure (MoP) that will guide future appointments to the higher judiciary.

Official sources said chief justices of 10 High Courts have recommended the names of 110 candidates for appointment as additional judges. 

“After the NJAC Act was struck down by the Supreme Court, the government had informed the CJI that only the appointments that are in the pipeline will be processed, while a new memorandum of procedure to bring transparency in the collegium system is being cleared. Accordingly, 115 names, which are in various stages of being considered for appointment as additional judges are being cleared,” a senior government functionary said.

He said while the government will continue to clear elevations and postings of sitting judges, it would not clear new names as additional judges till the memorandum is ratified by the SC collegium.