Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Appointment Of Advocate As P&H HC Judge; Tells Centre To Give Precedence To Pending Proposals

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the name of Advocate Rohit Kapoor for appointment as Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court.

In a notification issued on January 04, it was stated that the recommendation for appointment of Advocate Kapoor as Judge of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana was made by the Collegium of the High Court on 21 April 2023.

"Further consideration of the recommendation was deferred with a view to seek a report from the Chief Justice of the High Court of the Punjab and Haryana in consultation with members of the High Court Collegium on the suitability of the candidate in light of the inputs placed before us," it added.

 The Supreme Court Collegium scrutinized and evaluated the material placed on record on October 17, 2023.

In terms of the Memorandum of Procedure, the Judges of the Supreme Court conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Punjab and In terms of the Memorandum of Procedure, the Judges of the Supreme Court conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana were consulted in order to ascertain the fitness and suitability of the candidate, stated the notification.

Adding that the enquiries made by us with reliable sources to ascertain suitability of the candidate reveal that Shri Rohit Kapoor is a competent advocate suitable for elevation to the High Court, it was stated that, "The Collegium, therefore, is of the considered view that Shri Rohit Kapoor is fit and suitable for appointment as Judge of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana."

While stating that the Collegium resolves to recommend that Shri Rohit Kapoor, Advocate, be appointed as Judge of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, the Colleguim clarified that, "two Advocates namely S/Shri (i) Harmeet Singh Grewal and (ii) Deepinder Singh Nalwa, whose names have been approved by this Collegium earlier in point of time i.e. on 17 October 2023, be given precedence in the matter of appointment over Shri Rohit Kapoor."

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