New Delhi: The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, reiterated the apex judicial appointment body’s earlier recommendation to elevate senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal as a judge of the Delhi High Court, for his ability, integrity and intellect. Praised him.
The name of Kirpal, an openly gay advocate, was first cleared in 2017 and approved by the collegium in 2021. But last November the proposal was sent back by the government.
“His appointment will add value to the Bench of the Delhi High Court and provide inclusion and diversity. His conduct and behavior has been above board,” the apex court collegium had said in the January 18 letter.
The collegium has appointed advocate R.K. John Sathyan, noting that sharing an article criticizing the prime minister and a post about a medical candidate’s suicide would not affect his “suitability, character”. , or integrity”.
“In this background, the adverse comments of IB extracted above in respect of the posts made by him i.e. sharing of an article published in ‘The Quint’ and another post in respect of suicide by a medical aspirant in 2017 But there will be no effect Read the resolution of 17 January.
The collegium also reiterated its earlier recommendation to appoint advocate Somashekar Sundaresan as a judge of the Bombay High Court.
“All citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The January 18 letter states that the expression of views by a candidate does not disqualify him from holding a constitutional post, as long as the person proposed to the judiciary is a person of ability, competence and integrity.