By News18
In a significant effort to refine the process of appointing High Court judges, the Supreme Court Collegium conducted a comprehensive personal interview exercise, holding 54 interviews in just 48 hours.
People privy to the developments confirmed to CNN-News18 that the three-member Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and comprising Justices Surya Kanth and Vikram Nath, conducted the interviews over two days.
The approach, which was re-initiated by Justice Sanjiv Khanna during his tenure, has now been taken to the next level by the Justice Gavai-led Collegium.
The process went beyond routine assessments and included not only personal interactions based on merit鈥攕uch as evaluation of judgments and understanding of law鈥攂ut also sought the candidates鈥 views on pressing legal issues, according to people familiar with the matter.
Importantly, the interviews were conducted by the current and two next-in-line Chief Justices of India, implying that this practice is set to continue well into the future and is not limited to the present regime.
Among those interviewed were lawyers and judicial officers from the High Courts of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Patna, Rajasthan, and others.
This extensive personal interaction and analytical approach comes in the wake of recent controversies involving Justice Shekhar Yadav and Justice Yashwant Varma. Sources told CNN-News18 that the exercise aims to provide a holistic understanding of a judge鈥檚 nature and conduct.
Justice Yadav triggered a controversy last year, saying India will only operate as per the wishes of the majority. Over 50 Opposition MPs had moved an impeachment motion against Justice Yadav for allegedly making 鈥渃ommunal鈥 remarks.
On the other hand, Justice Varma is facing allegations of corruption after the cash discovery in March, when he was a judge at the Delhi High Court. However, he has claimed ignorance about the cash.