“I am extremely upset,” says CJI Ramana of media reports on Collegium recommendations for SC appointments

THE Chief Justice of India has expressed displeasure at media reports speculating over the Collegium's recommendations for appointments to the Supreme Court.

"The process of appointment of judges is sacrosanct and has a certain dignity attached to it. My media friends must understand and recognise the sanctity of this process", CJI Ramana said while speaking from the ceremonial bench assembled to bid farewell to Justice Naveen Sinha who is retiring today.

The process is ongoing. Meetings will be held and decisions will be taken, the CJI added.

"As an institution, we hold the freedom of media and the rights of individuals in high esteem. Today's reflections in some sections of the media, pending the process, even before formalising the resolution is counterproductive", he said.

CJI Ramana pointed out that there have been instances of deserving career progression of bright talents getting marred because of such irresponsible reporting and speculation.

"This is very unfortunate and I am extremely upset about it", he said.

The CJI was reacting to media reports in a national daily and other online portals stating that the Collegium had recommended nine names for elevation to the top court and of them, three were women.

The media reports surfaced days after the retirement of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman on August 12. The Collegium had last made recommendations to elevate judges to the Supreme Court on August 28, 2019. Since then there have not been any recommendations that resulted in total 9 vacancies adding one more with the retirement of Justice Sinha today.