KM Joseph
Congress party on Monday expressed its displeasure over government's alleged attempt to affect the seniority of Justice KM Joseph as Supreme Court judge. K Venugopal raised the issue in the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha.
Without naming Joseph, Venugopal said Centre wants to have its way in every appointment in the judiciary.
The appointment notification of three new judges to the apex court places Justice KM Joseph’s name at the third position. However, as per reports, the collegium had recommended his name first in January.
The other two judges are Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran. With the appointment of Justice Banerjee, the Supreme Court would have three female judges and now, the total number of judges in the apex court would be 25, against the sanctioned strength of 31.
The President signed the warrants of appointment of Justice Joseph, Madras High Court Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Orissa High Court Chief Justice Vineet Saran.
"In exercise of the power conferred by the clause (2) of the article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Justice K.M. Joseph, Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, to be a Judge of the Supreme Court of India with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office," said the notification of Justice Joseph, reported IANS.
It may be recalled that earlier this year, Joseph’s name for elevation to the SC had led to a months-long stand-off between the Centre and the Supreme Court collegium. In April, after sitting on it for three months, the Centre rejected the recommendation but the collegium, on July 16, reiterated Joseph’s name.
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WATCH VIDEO: Appointment notification of new SC judges names Justice KM Joseph at third place
