The Supreme Court collegium has recently issued recommendations for the appointment of Chief Justices in three High Courts in India. These recommendations signal a comprehensive and considerate approach to the selection process, taking various critical factors into account. The suggested appointments are as follows:
1. **Justice Ritu Bahri for the Uttarakhand High Court:** This recommendation carries special significance as it aims to rectify the gender imbalance among Chief Justices of high courts. If approved, Justice Bahri would become the second woman presently heading a high court in the country, following Justice Sunita Agarwal of the Gujarat High Court.
2. **Justice Chakradhari Saran Singh for the Orissa High Court:** The collegium's choice to endorse Justice Singh also underscores the goal of enhancing representation among Chief Justices. The High Court of Judicature at Patna currently lacks representation among Chief Justices of high courts.
3. **Justice S. Vaidyanathan for the Meghalaya High Court:** The recommendation for Justice Vaidyanathan takes into account the need to provide representation for the Madras High Court, one of the largest high courts in the country, but with only one Chief Justice across high courts.
These recommendations reflect a dedication to upholding principles of seniority, merit, and integrity, while also addressing underrepresented segments within the judiciary. They underscore the collegium's commitment to ensuring a just and equitable selection process for high court Chief Justices.
