Judicial vacancies: SC says incredible pressure when names before Collegium

New Delhi, Jan 27 : Against the backdrop of mounting vacancies in higher judiciary across the country, the Supreme Court on Wednesday deliberated on bottlenecks in the appointments of judges and sought a roadmap on filling the vacant posts.
A bench headed by Chief Justice S. A. Bobde and comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Surya Kant made sharp observations on the delay on the government’s part on recommendations made by the top court Collegium and stressed that it is a matter of great concern.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice said: “We get a spate of complaints if the name (of the judge recommended) is mentioned in public.” He added that there is no lack of transparency either on judicial or administrative side.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh said there are vacancies in the Delhi High Court, yet there is no recommendation. Why should the process of appointment should be completed just before the retirement of a judge, he asked. At this, the Chief Justice pointed out: “The kind of pressure when names are considered by the Collegium is incredible.” The bench told Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, representing the Centre, to develop a timeline and apprise the court as to how long would it take to respond to the recommendations made by the High Court seeking appointment of judges.
“If you do not give comments for five months on Collegium recommendation, then it is a matter of great concern,” Justice Kaul told the AG.