The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Siddaiah Rachaiah, an Additional Judge at the High Court of Karnataka, as a Permanent Judge. This recommendation comes as Justice Rachaiah’s term as Additional Judge is set to expire on November 7, 2024.
The Collegium of the High Court of Karnataka had unanimously put forth Justice Rachaiah’s name for the position on August 6, 2024. Despite not receiving comments from the Chief Minister and Governor of Karnataka within the prescribed timeframe, the Department of Justice processed the recommendation by invoking Paragraph 14 of the Memorandum of Procedure. This provision allows the Ministry of Law and Justice to proceed in the absence of state comments.
In evaluating Justice Rachaiah’s suitability, the Supreme Court consulted judges familiar with the affairs of the Karnataka High Court. A two-judge committee, appointed under the resolution of October 26, 2017, also assessed his judgments. Based on these evaluations, the Collegium concluded that Justice Rachaiah is fit for appointment as a Permanent Judge.
Given the impending expiration of his term, the Supreme Court Collegium has urged swift processing of this recommendation to ensure Justice Rachaiah’s seamless transition to the new role.
The decision was endorsed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, and Justices Sanjiv Khanna and B.R. Gavai, on October 15, 2024 .
