Jharkhand Files Contempt Plea Against Centre In SC Over Delayed HC Appointment

New Delhi: The Jharkhand government has filed a contempt petition against the Union government for delay in giving clearance to the SC collegium recommendation for appointing a new Chief Justice for the Jharkhand High Court.

This was conveyed to Attorney General R Venkataramani by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Thursday when Venkataramani asked for another week to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that asked the Centre for a “fixed time limit” to notify the appointment of judges recommended by the Collegium. 

The Attorney General urged that the PIL, listed for a hearing on Friday, should be taken up a week later. He said he could “come back with something” by then. The CJI, however, said that the list for Friday has already been published and that he can make a request only the next day. 

Meanwhile, in its contempt petition against the Centre, the Jharkhand government said, “The Chief Justice performs important administrative functions and is the head of the judicial family in the state. Regularly appointed Chief Justice is essential for the efficient administration of justice and functioning of the judiciary.” 

“Unreasonable delays in the matters of appointment, after recommendations have been made by the Collegium headed by Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India, are detrimental to the administration of Justice in the state,” it said.

The Supreme Court Collegium, on July 11,  recommended the transfer of Justice M S Ramachandra Rao, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, to the Jharkhand High Court as the Chief Justice. The Collegium also recommended the appointment of Chief Justices of seven more High Courts.

However, on September 17, the Collegium tweaked the list, announcing changes in the case of three proposed names — Justices Suresh Kumar Kait, Tashi Rabstan and G S Sandhawalia.

The Centre has not notified the transfers as yet.