Supreme Court refuses to cancel appointment, L Victoria Gauri becomes judge of Madras High Court

The Supreme Court has refused to cancel the appointment of L Victoria Gauri as a judge in the Madras High Court. The petition against his appointment was heard in the Supreme Court hearing today. This hearing was done by the bench of Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice BR Gavai. Some lawyers of Madras High Court have said in their application that Victoria is not eligible for this post. A special bench of Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice BR Gavai is hearing the matter.

During the hearing, Justice Sanjeev Khanna asked advocate Ramachandran, do you have any objection on the point of eligibility. He said that yes things about his mind set were hidden from the collegium. Justice Gavai said that it is not that the Collegium would not know this. The collegium consults agencies and judges. The collegium has also said that political affiliation is not a reason for not appointing a judge. Even I have a background of a political party, but I have not been in it for 20 years. Ramachandran listed the names of several judges and said that hate speech is not an issue of political affiliation. Justice Gavai said that she is now becoming an additional judge.

Ramachandran also listed the names of many judges including Justice Aftab Alam, Justice Rama Jois, Justice Rajendra Sachar who had a political background. Many were also associated with radical organizations but they were not hate speech people. But this matter is openly unethical and hate statement. Justice Sanjeev Khanna said that the collegium has taken the decision after considering all aspects. Ramachandran said that usually the warrant is issued on Thursday or Friday. The representation was given on 1st February. The warrant was issued on 6 February.

The court has started the hearing five minutes before the swearing-in. Will the court take a decision in such a big matter in five minutes? Justice Sanjeev Khanna said that there is no point in talking here and there. You cannot guide the collegium on how to elect judges. We cannot direct the collegium to reconsider. With this, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition filed in this matter. The court said that we do not entertain such petitions, it will set a wrong precedent. The collegium had considered it.