'Sensitive information' delaying Chief justices appointment ; central govt tells SC

KOCHI: The appointment of Chief Justices of eight High Courts including Kerala is delayed due to the central government's 'sensitive' information. Attorney General R. Venkataramani informed the Supreme Court while considering the PIL that the Center has some 'sensitive' information and will submit it in a sealed cover on the 20th.

Kerala will have to wait for the new High Court Chief Justice until the Supreme Court examines the information that hinders the appointment. A bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Mishra will consider the matter.

The Supreme Court Collegium had forwarded the list of those to be considered as Chief Justices to the Center on July 11. Bombay High Court Judge Nitin Jamder was recommended to the Kerala High Court. However, the Law Ministry did not issue the appointment order. These are the appointments that should have taken place two months ago. Kerala High Court Chief Justice A.J. Desai had retired on July 4. Acting Chief Justice Mohammed Mushtaq is currently heading the Kerala High Court.

Collegium Proposed

1-Justice Nitin Jamder (Kerala)

2-Justice Manmohan (Delhi)

3-Justice Rajiv Shakdher (Himachal)

4-Justice Suresh Kumar Kait (Jammu and Kashmir)

5-Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia (Madhya Pradesh)

6-Justice Tashi Rabstan (Meghalaya)

7-Justice K.R. Sriram (Madras)

8-Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao (Jharkhand)