Collegium Clears Three Names For Appointment As Kerala HC Judges [Read Collegium Recommendation]

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the names of three District Judges for the appointment as Additional Judges in Kerala High Court.

According to the sources the names of Senior District Judges Ashok Menon, R. Narayana Pisharadi and Annie John were recommended by the collegium.

Mr.Ashok Menon is now working as the Registrar General of High Court. Mr. Narayana Pisharadi is the Registrar (Vigilance). Mrs. Annie John is presently working as Principal District and Sessions Judge, Thrissur.

In a landmark decision the Supreme Court has published the minutes of collegium meetings in the Supreme Court website.  As per the decision dated 3rd October, the following reasons were given for the elevation of the above three Judges.

Ashok Menon

"As regards Shri Ashok Menon , our consultee-colleagues have concurrently found him suitable for appointment as High Court Judge. One of them has stated that he knows Shri Menon for the last several years; that his integrity is very good and to his knowledge Shri Menon carries good reputation as Judicial Officer; that he has found his intellectual acumen as befitting for a Judge of the High Court and that he is quite suitable for appointment as Judge of the High Court of Kerala. Intelligence Bureau has reported that he enjoys a good personal and professional image and nothing adverse has come to notice against his integrity. Judgment Committee has found his judgment as ‘good’"

Annie John

"As regards Ms. Annie John, our consultee-colleagues have concurrently found her suitable for appointment as High Court Judge. One of them has stated that he knows Ms. John for the last several years; that her integrity is very good and to his knowledge Ms. John carries good reputation as Judicial Officer; that he has found her intellectual acumen as befitting for a Judge of the High Court and that she is quite suitable for appointment as Judge of the High Court of Kerala. Intelligence Bureau has reported that nothing adverse has come to notice against her integrity. As regards the comments regarding her professional competence, it is for the judiciary to assess her performance. Professional competence cannot be adjudged on the basis of unconfirmed/unsubstantiated inputs. Judgment Committee has found her judgment as ‘good’".

Narayana Pisharadi R

As regards Shri Narayana Pisharadi R. (mentioned at Sl. No. 3 above), our consultee-colleagues have concurrently found him suitable for appointment as High Court Judge. One of them has stated that he knows Shri Pisharadi for the last several years; that his integrity is very good and to his knowledge Shri Pisharadi carries good reputation as Judicial Officer; that he has found his intellectual acumen as befitting for a Judge of the High Court and that he is quite suitable for appointment as Judge of the High Court of Kerala. Intelligence Bureau has reported that he enjoys a good personal and professional image and nothing adverse has come to notice against his integrity. Judgment Committee has found his judgment as ‘good’.

One District Judge Overlooked

In the collegium proceedings it is also mentioned that;

"We have taken note of the fact that the above proposal involves non-recommendation of a Judicial Officer of Kerala State Higher Judicial Service, who, in the seniority list of Judicial Officers, stands at a higher position than two of the above-named recommendees. In this regard, we are in agreement with the justification given by the High Court Collegium in its Minutes for overlooking his name".