SC collegium recommends to Centre 4 names for elevation as apex court judges

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended to the Centre names of four high court chief justices for elevation as apex court judges, which will take its strength to full 34, sanctioned recently by the government.

The collegium, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, said the apex court is presently functioning with 30 judges, against the sanctioned judge-strength of 34, leaving four clear vacancies.

It has decided to recommend the names of Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Krishna Murari, Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice S Ravindra Bhat, Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice V Ramasubramanian and Kerala High Court Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy for their elevation.

"The Collegium has extensively deliberated and discussed names of Chief Justices and senior puisne High Court Judges eligible for appointment as Judges of the Supreme Court and has resolved to fill up all the four existing vacancies," the collegium, also comprising justices S A Bobde, N V Ramana, Arun Mishra .