The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the names of Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant to the Centre for their elevation as apex court judges.
Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was appointed as a Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003 and has been functioning there since then. He stands at Sl. No.8 in the combined seniority of High Court Judges on all-India basis. The Collegium while recommending his name has duly considered Justice Gavai’s position (Sl.No.4) in the seniority of Judges hailing from Bombay High Court. On his appointment the Supreme Court Bench will have a Judge belonging to Scheduled Caste category after about a decade.
Against the sanctioned strength of 31 judges, the apex court is presently functioning with 27 judges.
The Collegium extensively deliberated and discussed names of Chief Justices and senior puisne High Court Judges eligible for appointment as Judges of the Supreme Court.
While recommending their names, the Collegium took into consideration combined seniority on all-India basis of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts, apart from their competence, conduct and integrity. The Collegium has also kept in mind the desirability of giving due representation on the Bench of the Supreme Court, as far as possible, to all the High Court as well as to all sections of the society including those belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories, women and minorities.
