Janshruti (People’s Voice), an NGO, has challenged the collegium system for appointing judges to India’s higher judiciary in a public interest litigation petition before the Supreme Court of India.
Invoking Article 32 of the Constitution, petition seeks:
a. Issue an appropriate writ, order, or direction declaring that the present opaque and non-transparent system of judicial appointments through the collegium system violates the principles of Article 14 (Equality before Law), Article 21 (Right to Speedy Justice), and Article 39A (Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid) of the Constitution of India.
The PIL also prays for:
- Directing the Union of India, in consultation with the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Bar Council, to frame a transparent mechanism including public vacancy notifications, merit criteria, and wider consultations.
- Immediate filling of vacancies to address pendency.
- Interim guidelines under Article 142 until statutory reforms.
- Establishment of an All India Judicial Service for merit-based entry-level recruitment.
Matter will be heard on November 10 by a bench comprising the Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran.
Update:
Supreme Court declined to entertain the petition and dismissed it.