New Delhi: Former National Commission for Minorities chairman Tarlochan Singh has questioned the Centre’s decision-making over the appointment of judges to the Delhi and Punjab and Haryana high courts, alleging that a “pick and choose” policy was being followed.
In letters to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Singh questioned why two Sikh candidates recommended for judicial appointments had not been appointed.
Singh said the Supreme Court collegium had recommended advocate Major Navdeep Singh for appointment as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He questioned why the recommendation had not resulted in his appointment despite the collegium completing the process.
He said people were surprised that after the collegium makes final recommendations following a lengthy process, the Centre appeared to be following a “pick and choose” approach. He also questioned why candidates from a minority community were being prevented from becoming judges in the two cases.
Singh, however, said he did not want to give the issue a communal colour and was seeking justice in both cases. He also said no reason had been given by the law minister for keeping the two names pending.
Government sources, meanwhile, said both cases were “under examination”. According to the sources, the files relating to the two recommendations had not been returned to the Supreme Court collegium. The sources said this meant the government had not rejected either name and that both cases were still under consideration.
