Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Elevation Of Three Advocates As Andhra Pradesh High Court Judges

The Supreme Court Collegium on Tuesday (October 15) recommended the names of the three Advocates for appointment as Judges of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. 

The Collegium comprising of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai recommended the following names after due consultation with their colleagues 'conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh': 

(i) Shri Maheswara Rao Kuncheam @ Kuncham,

(ii) Shri Thoota Chandra Dhana Sekar @ T C D Sekhar, and

(iii) Shri Challa Gunaranjan. 

Notably, the collegium mentioned that the "views of the Chief Minister and the Governor of the State of Andhra Pradesh have not been received, the Department of Justice has forwarded the above recommendation by invoking para 14 of the Memorandum of Procedure which provides that if the comments of the State Constitutional authorities are not received within the prescribed time-frame, it should be presumed by the Minister of Law and Justice that the Governor and the Chief Minister have nothing to add to the proposal and proceed accordingly." 

The above three names have been proposed after the Chief Justice of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh on May 15 in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues recommended the same. 

About The Three Nominees 

(i) Shri Maheswara Rao Kuncheam @ Kuncham : The Collegium noted that the inputs on his performance are overall good  and found him suitable for the elevation as a judge. Kuncheam has been part of the arguing counsels for 136 judgements. 

The inputs in the file indicate that his professional competence is viewed to be good and that nothing adverse has come to notice with regard to his integrity. He has appeared/argued a number of cases which is reflected by his appearance in 136 reported judgments delivered by the High Court. 

(ii) Shri Thoota Chandra Dhana Sekar @ T C D Sekhar :  The Collegium noted that one of the consultee-Judges has opined that the candidate did not particularly stand out, in terms of his performance and is mediocre, at best. Three other consultee-Judges have given a positive opinion on the suitability of the candidate for appointment as a Judge of the High Court. 

Sekar has a practice of 25 years in the High Court with specialization in taxation revenue laws, land acquisition and civil law. 

(iii) Shri Challa Gunaranjan :   The Collegium observed that all the four consultee-Judges have given a positive opinion on the suitability of the candidate for appointment as a Judge of the High Court. 

Gunaranjan has reported to have 71.74 lacs per annum as his professional income and has been reported to be on the arguing side for 129 judgements. 

The resolution of the Collegium can be viewed here.