Collegium recommends elevation of 4 judges to SC

New Delhi [India], Oct 31 (ANI): The Supreme Court Collegium, on, Wednesday recommended four judges namely - Chief Justice Hemant Gupta of Madhya Pradesh High Court, Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy of the Gujarat High Court, Chief Justice MR Shah of Patna High Court and Chief Justice Ajay Rastogi of Tripura High Court - to be elevated as judges of the apex court.
The resolution of the Collegium stated, "The Supreme Court of India is presently functioning with 24 Judges against the sanctioned strength of 31 Judges, leaving seven clear vacancies. After extensive discussion, the Collegium unanimously resolves to fill up, for the present, four of these vacancies."
The declaration revealed that the names of judges eligible for promotion were deliberated upon, and apart from merit and integrity, the seniority at all-India level has also been taken into consideration. "While recommending the names of Justices Hemant Gupta, R Subhash Reddy, Mukeshkumar Rasikbhai Shah, and Ajay Rastogi, the Collegium has taken into consideration combined seniority on all-India basis of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts. The Collegium has also kept in mind, while recommending the above names that the High Courts of Punjab and Haryana, Gujarat and Rajasthan have remained unrepresented in the Supreme Court since long," the statement of Collegium read.
"The Collegium is of the view that at present the following persons are more deserving and suitable in all respects than other Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts, for being appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court of India."
Abiding by the Memorandum of Procedure, the Collegium also declared copies of letters of opinion of their colleagues received to adjudge the suitability of recommended judges.
The Collegium comprises Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, and four senior-most judges of the apex court - Justices Madan B Lokur, Kurian Joseph, AK Sikri and SA Bobde.
Justice Hemant Gupta, Justice R Subhash Reddy, Justice Mukeshkumar Rasikbhai Shah, and Justice Ajay Rastogi have been ranked at 4, 5, 17 and 25 respectively in the combined seniority of High Court Judges on all-India basis. (ANI)