With somewhat over a month left earlier than Chief Justice of India SA Bobde retires, the federal government has began the method of appointment of subsequent CJI, asking the incumbent to advocate his successor, sources stated Saturday.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Friday despatched a letter to Justice Bobde, who is ready to retire on April 23, in search of his suggestion, the sources stated.
As per the Memorandum of Procedure governing the appointment of members of the upper judiciary, “appointment to the office of the Chief Justice of India should be of the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the office”.
It stipulates that the Law Minister would, at an acceptable time, search the advice of the outgoing Chief Justice of India for the appointment of the subsequent CJI.
Under this course of, after receipt of the advice of the CJI, the Law Minister places it earlier than the Prime Minister who advises the President within the matter of appointment.
“Whenever there is any doubt about the fitness of the senior-most Judge to hold the office of the Chief Justice of India, consultation with other Judges…would be made for appointment of the next Chief Justice of India,” the doc states.
Justice NV Ramana is the senior-most choose within the high court docket after the CJI.
Born on August 27, 1957, justice Ramana has a tenure until August 26, 2022.
