The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Union law secretary asking the Union government to explain delay in the appointment of judges.
The top court‘a bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul pulled up the Union government over the delay while hearing a contempt petition filed last year by the Advocates Association Bengaluru against the Union law ministry not approving 11 names given by the Supreme Court’s collegium.
“This [the delay] implies that the government neither appoints the names nor communicates its reservations if any,” apex court said.
The top court noted that on several occasions the Union government had not made judicial appointments despite names being given by the Supreme Court collegium.
It questioned whether the government’s inaction was meant to compel those considered for the judges’ posts, to withdraw their consent.
The apex court further said that after a collegium reiterates the names for the second time, the Union government has to issue an appointment order.
