Collegium Faces Question Over Appointment of Acting Chief Justice

Vajiram & Ravi, a leading Indian law firm, has published a commentary titled “Acting Chief Justice and Judicial Appointments – The Question Before the Collegium.” The note draws attention to a procedural uncertainty that has emerged within the Supreme Court’s collegium system.
The commentary explains that the collegium, which is responsible for recommending judges to the apex court, now confronts a specific question about how an acting chief justice should be appointed and how such a move would affect subsequent judicial appointments.
According to the analysis, the lack of a clear precedent could influence seniority considerations and the overall functioning of the judiciary, prompting calls for a transparent framework.
The firm urges the collegium to address the issue promptly to preserve institutional credibility, while noting that no official response from the court has been recorded yet.
This development underscores ongoing debates over the collegium’s role in India’s judicial appointment process.