Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has addressed misconceptions about the Judges Appointment system in India, particularly regarding the Supreme Court collegium’s evaluation of candidates for high court and Supreme Court judgeships. Speaking during the Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture, he emphasised that the collegium does utilise factual data to assess candidates and aims to establish objective selection parameters.
Chief Justice Chandrachud challenged the notion that the collegium lacks factual data for evaluating potential judges. He clarified that the collegium has developed a comprehensive platform to assess the top 50 judges in the country for potential appointments to the Supreme Court. This process demonstrates the collegium’s commitment to using objective criteria in the selection process.
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Justice Chandrachud stated that one of his primary goals is to establish objective parameters for the selection of judges, both for the Supreme Court and high courts. This move aims to bring more transparency and accountability to the appointment process, reducing the perception of ad hoc decision-making.
The Chief Justice emphasised the importance of institutionalising the judiciary to move away from an ad hoc operational model. He highlighted the need for a system that transcends individual judges’ tenures and ensures the continuity of transparent and accountable judicial proceedings.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s address seeks to clarify misconceptions surrounding the judges’ appointment system in India. His focus on objective parameters and institutionalisation reflects a commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in the country’s judicial appointments, reinforcing the judiciary’s role as a cornerstone of democracy.
