Chief Justice of India HL Dattu asks High Courts to return to original plan

CHANDIGARH: Chief Justice of India HL Dattu has “withdrawn” a practice introduced by predecessor Justice RM Lodha, who wanted wider consultation while shortlisting candidates to be appointed as high court judges.

Justice Lodha had written a letter to all high courts in May this year, asking them to consult two judges “outside the collegium” before finalising on names to be sent to the Supreme Court for elevation. The collegium that shortlists the names in a high court comprises the chief justice and two of his or her senior-most colleagues. Lodha, in his letter, had also asked high court chief justices to consult two senior lawyers for the purpose of making recommendations to the Supreme Court.

Lodha’s successor, Justice Dattu, last month wrote to high court chief justices to return to the original practice. The one-and-half page letter, seen by ET, cites “difficulties” faced by high courts as the reason to withdraw the system. This means the collegium – three senior-most judges including the high court chief justice – will have the final say at the time of making recommendations.