Shivani Pandey-
Published on: August 13, 2021 at 11:29 IST
Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, the Second most Senior Judge of the Supreme Court retired on August 12, 2021.
With the retirement, returned the spotlight on the unparalleled impasse within the Collegium concerning the appointment of Judges existing for nearly 22 months now.
Justice Nariman in his career spanning around 7 years at the Supreme Court, stood stiff that no consensus can appear on names unless two senior-most Judges in order of Seniority in the All India Seniority List of High Court Judges are given priority.
Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, Justice Abhay Oka is on the top of the Seniority list while Chief Justice of Tripura High Court Justice Akil Kureshi occupies the second spot.
Upon Justice Nariman’s retirement, the Supreme Court will be left with only 25 Judges against the permitted strength of 34 Judges.
Justice Navin Sinha is about to retire on August 19, in due course leaving the Supreme Court with ten vacancies to be filled.
Chief Justice of India N V Ramana on the retirement of Justice Nariman said, “I am losing a Lion of a Judge, which is true, both in reality and metaphorically. Seldom does the Supreme Court gets a Judge whose assertiveness, arising from his profound knowledge in Domestic and Foreign Laws, cowers arguing counsels into putting their best foot forward in Court.”
Also Read: Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman nominated as chairperson of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee