Lawyers demand diversity in judge appointments for Madras high court

CHENNAI: The Federation of Bar Associations of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has called upon the Supreme Court collegium to consider the names of advocates from different sections of society, including minorities, based on their legal acumen, integrity, and wisdom while recommending names for appointment as judges of the Madras high court.

A resolution to this effect, adopted at its recent general body meeting at Salem, was sent to the President, the chief justice of India, the Union govt and the Supreme Court judges from Tamil Nadu.

"The federation wishes to address an issue of pivotal importance regarding the recommendations of names of advocates for elevation to the post of judges of the HC," a statement released by the federation said on Tuesday.

At present, the high court has 65 judges, as against the sanctioned strength of 75. This year, a few judges are attaining the age of superannuation, leaving a large number of vacancies in the chartered high court. Citing this, the Federation said, “it will be the need of the hour to fill such posts in an expeditious manner for the proper administration of justice.”

"It is the humblest request of the entire legal fraternity and this bar Federation that while recommending the names of lawyers and judicial officers for elevation to the post of high court judges, it is requested that the collegium may take into consideration all the eligible and suitable aspirants for elevation, and such recommendations may include all sections of advocates," the statement said.

It will pave the way for adequate representation of the unrepresented and underrepresented communities, the federation added.