CJI Chandrachud’s Collegium Tenure: Achievements and Missed Opportunities
PSC Notes
Persistent Judicial Vacancies: Under Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s leadership, the Supreme Court Collegium worked continuously to address judicial vacancies, yet several appointments remain stalled due to governmental delays.
Support for Diversity and Integrity: Despite promoting values like free speech, sexual orientation dignity, and judicial integrity, the Collegium did not recommend any women for the Supreme Court Bench, raising questions about its commitment to diversity.
Contentious Delays and Government Resistance: Key recommendations, such as those for advocate Saurabh Kirpal, openly gay, and other prominent advocates for High Court judgeships, have been delayed or ignored by the government, sparking criticism about selective appointments.
Shortened Tenures Due to Bureaucratic Hold-Ups: Several judicial appointees, like Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, faced unusually short tenures due to prolonged government approval delays, highlighting inefficiencies impacting judicial effectiveness.
Judiciary-Government Tensions: Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, a senior Collegium member, openly expressed frustration about government interference in judicial seniority and appointments, underlining deepening tensions between the judiciary and executive.
Collegium System Challenges: Despite its flaws, CJI Chandrachud defended the Collegium system as the best available option for judicial appointments, though he acknowledged its limitations in light of mounting delays.
Ongoing Case on Appointment Delays: Before his retirement, CJI Chandrachud sought government transparency on pending Collegium recommendations, with the case scheduled post-retirement, leaving unresolved questions about judicial autonomy in appointments.