Centre Assures Supreme Court of Imminent Appointment of Chief Justice of Manipur HC

NEW DELHI: The Indian government informed the Supreme Court on Monday that it will issue a notification for the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court in the near future, more than three months after the Supreme Court collegium recommended Delhi High Court Judge Siddharth Mridul for the role.

In a statement presented to Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia, the Centre revealed that it has cleared the files related to the transfer of 14 high court judges, with the remaining 12 currently in process.

The Supreme Court was examining two petitions, including one alleging that the Centre had been sluggish in approving the names proposed by the collegium for judicial appointments and transfers.

The collegium, chaired by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, suggested on July 5 that Delhi High Court Judge Siddharth Mridul be appointed Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court amid ethnic tensions in the border state.

During Monday's hearing, the judges highlighted some "positive developments" and emphasized that numerous recommendations from high courts, which had previously been held up in the law ministry and not forwarded to the Supreme Court collegium, have now been sent forward. They added that the Supreme Court collegium will promptly seek the opinions of consultee judges on the high court's suggestions.

The matter of transferring 26 high court judges was also addressed by the bench, which noted that "the files for 14 cases have been cleared, and notifications will be issued shortly. In regard to the remaining 12, it is stated to be under process."

In relation to the appointment of a Chief Justice for the Manipur high court, the bench stressed that it should be addressed promptly, especially for a sensitive state. It was stated that the necessary files have been cleared, and the notification will be issued shortly. Justice Kaul remarked, "By the next date, I want this to be done. I am being very, very polite, let me be polite."

The next hearing for the case is scheduled for October 20.

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