SC slams Centre, says govt hurting justice

“The cause of law and justice suffers as a result (of not judges being appointed) as the Central government neither approves the names nor states its reservations,” a two-judge bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and also comprising Justice Abhay Oka said.

The Supreme Court said the Centre keeping the names pending and not clearing them was not “acceptable” and issues notice to the Law Secretary seeking his explanation on the issue.

“The courts are losing a chance to have eminent persons. Withholding names is not acceptable,” the Supreme Court observed.

The Supreme Court’s collegium has cleared and recommended many names to the Union of India which the court complains are not being approved.

The apex court warned the Centre that for the time being it was resisting issuing a contempt notice and was issuing only a simple notice of contempt against the Law Ministry.

The Supreme Court was hearing a contempt petition filed by the Advocates Association of Bengaluru against Barun Mitra, the Secretary of Law and Justice Department for not clearing the names of appointment of judges to various courts.