SC to hear judges' appointment case tomorrow

New Delhi, Mar 2 (UNI) The Supreme Court will hear tomorrow a petition filed by former Union Law Minister and senior counsel Shanti Bhushan challenging the appointments of the High Court judges, made on the recommendations of the Chief Justice of India without taking its collegium in confidence .

As per the judgement of the Supreme Court, the government can not make appointment of the High Court and Supreme Court judges without approval of the Chief Justice of India who has to consult the members of the collegium before making recommendations.

A bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat has already issued notice to the government and asked for details of the appointments made by the government solely on the recommendations of the Chief Justice of India since 1996.

The Central government in its affidavit has informed the Supreme Court that about 250 such appointments have been made by the government only on the sole recommendation of the Chief Justice of India overlooking the collegium, comprising of three senior most judges of the apex court and the Chief Justice himself.

The present Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan is also facing allegations of recommending the name of Justice Ashok Kumar to the Madras High Court without taking collegium into confidence.

UNI AKS/SC KK KN2008