On Thursday, CJI SA Bobde revealed that women lawyers refrain from taking part in judgeship due to parental and domestic responsibilities. And this was told to him by the High Court Chief Justices. The CJI stated that it’s time for women lawyers to occupy this prestigious position of a CJI. But the Collegium system has often experienced difficulties when these lawyers deny to take up judgeship.
A plea in light of appointing the High Court judges heard by a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Surya Kant. Further, the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA) filed a plea to this effect. It stated that experienced Supreme Court women lawyers elevated to the position of High Court judges. And this could be a way to increase the number of women judges.
The CJI refused to issue a notice in the matter and, the bench viewed that ‘it is holding the best interest for women in mind’, and they require only capable candidates for this. Looking at another matter, KK Venugopal informed the bench of ten judges recommended by the SC Collegium for High Courts and pending before the Law Ministry. And these passed on to the top court within three months. Lastly, the top court walked to the Central Government to draw a timeline to respond to Supreme Court Collegium recommendations, mainly concerning the clearance from the Justice Dept.
