Chief Justice of India, S.H. Kapadia (CJI) [pictured] has recommended that the names of five senior lawyers who were recommended by former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice A.P Shah for their appointment as judges to the Delhi High Court be reviewed.

According to media reports, the collegium headed by the CJI has written to the Union Law Minister, Veerappa Moily regarding the issue. Justice A.P. Shah had recommended senior lawyers, Abhinav Vasisht, Rajiv Virmani, Anusuya Salwan, Meenakshi Arora and Maninder Acharya for elevation to the High Court.

Soon after recommending these names to the collegium, Justice Shah retired. The CJI therefore wants the newly appointed Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice Dipak Misra to approve the elevation before it can be taken any further. Another reason being touted as the reason for review of the appointment is the withdrawal of consent by constitutional lawyer, Meenakshi Arora regarding her appointment as a judge. Speaking to Bar & Bench, she said, “Yes, I have withdrawn my consent to be a judge and the reasons are personal. I do not want to discuss the reasons with the media.”

Justice A.P. Shah had openly expressed his disappointment at not being elevated to the Supreme Court. Incidentally, Justice Kapadia was a part of the panel which recommended the names of elevation of judges to the apex court.