TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
Kaul's memoir criticizes Chandrachud's approach
- Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul has alleged that former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud was 'too deferential to the government' regarding judicial appointments, as detailed in his memoir, 'Without Fear or Favour', set to be published by Juggernaut later this month.
- Kaul joined the Collegium in June 2022 and suggested a 'good-cop bad-cop' approach with Chandrachud, indicating a strategic division of roles.
- During a collegium meeting, Chandrachud proposed a sixth name for judicial appointment, which Kaul suspected was suggested at the government's instance.
- Chandrachud expressed uncertainty about whether to contact the government for its view during the meeting, which Kaul objected to.
- Kaul walked out of the meeting after a 'bizarre' caste question about a minority-faith candidate was raised, leading to a pause in collegium meetings.
- Chandrachud responded to Kaul's allegations by stating he had not read the memoir and could not recall any walkout or dissent.
Context on judicial appointments and memoir
- In his memoir, Kaul emphasizes the importance of judicial independence and criticizes the practice of seeking government approval before collegium meetings.
- Kaul's concerns reflect a broader issue of government interference in judicial appointments, which he argues undermines the integrity of the judiciary.
Media in this story
The Indian Express“As Chief Justice of India, Justice D Y Chandrachud was “too deferential to the Government” when it came to appointments. At one time, he sought its “nod” before the Collegium had met and, once, even voiced the Government’s “bizarre” query regarding the caste of a minority-faith judge candidate.”
→India Today“Former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul has criticised former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's approach to judicial appointments, alleging that he was "too deferential to the government", news agency Press Trust of India reported.”
→CuriousCats Full Story
Key Insight
“Kaul recounts a collegium meeting where Chandrachud proposed a sixth name at the last minute, which Kaul suspected was at the government's instance, and later walked out after a 'bizarre' caste question about a minority-faith candidate. Chandrachud responded that he had not read the book and could not recall any walkout or recorded dissent.”
CuriousCats studied:
1The Indian Express
The Indian Express“As Chief Justice of India, Justice D Y Chandrachud was “too deferential to the Government” when it came to appointments. At one time, he sought its “nod” before the Collegium had met and, once, even voiced the Government’s “bizarre” query regarding the caste of a minority-faith judge candidate.”
The Indian Express →2
India Today
“Former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul has criticised former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's approach to judicial appointments, alleging that he was "too deferential to the government", news agency Press Trust of India reported.”
India Today →
