Collegium recommends transfer of Patna HC CJ Rajendra Menon J to Delhi HC

Days after the Central government returned the Supreme Court’s recommendation to elevate Justice Aniruddha Bose as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, the Collegium has decided to recommend transfer of Chief Justice of the Patna High Court Rajendra Menon to the Delhi High Court.

The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Bose J. for elevation to the Delhi High Court on January 10. The resolution passed by the Collegium reads:

“Mr. Justice Aniruddha Bose is a senior puisne Judge of Calcutta High Court. Having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium finds Mr. Justice Aniruddha Bose suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. The Collegium resolves to recommend accordingly.”

Subsequently, the Centre had returned the file saying that Bose J. does not have enough experience to lead a prominent High Court like Delhi. The Collegium has now reconsidered its proposal and decided to send Justice Bose to head Jharkhand High Court. Justice Menon will now be brought to Delhi High Court. The resolution states,

The Collegium vide Minutes dated 10th January, 2018, recommended that Mr. Justice Aniruddha Bose, senior puisne Judge of Calcutta High Court be appointed as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court. The Minister for Law & Justice has referred back the above recommendation for reconsideration thereof by the Collegium.

“On reconsideration, the Collegium in supersession of the above recommendation resolves to recommend that Mr. Justice Rajendra Menon, Chief Justice of Patna High Court, be transferred, on account of administrative exigencies, to Delhi High Court.”

Justice Menon was elevated to the Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court as an Additional Judge on April 1, 2002. He was then posted at the Principal Bench of the High Court in 2008, before his elevation as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court in March 2017.

Meanwhile, acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Justice Gita Mittal has been recommended for transfer to the Jammu & Kashmir High Court as Chief Justice.

Read the resolution: