In a significant observation today, the Supreme Court critiqued the process of conferring senior designations by the Delhi High Court, suggesting that several eligible candidates were overlooked. During the proceedings of Raman Gandhi v. Registrar General, High Court of Delhi & Anr, Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the Delhi High Court’s Registrar General to clarify the criteria used for recent designations.
The controversy arose after the Delhi High Court designated 70 lawyers as seniors from a pool of 302 interviewed candidates, a decision challenged by Advocate Raman Gandhi who questioned the selection process. The Supreme Court’s intervention seeks to ensure transparency and fairness in the designation process, asking if those initially rejected could still be considered.
The hearing unveiled discrepancies with the permanent committee responsible for the initial shortlist, which includes Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and other notable legal figures. The resignation of Senior Advocate Sudhir Nandrajog from the committee over discrepancies in the final list has added to the dispute. Nandrajog, who was unable to sign the final list due to his commitments in an arbitration, alleged that the original list was tampered with.
In response to these concerns, the Supreme Court has now sought a detailed affidavit from the committee member and directed that it be shared with the High Court’s counsel. Justice Oka emphasized the need to revisit the candidatures, stating, “After you read the affidavit you’ll get an idea what we are suggesting. Those whose candidature was rejected and they are eligible candidates – those cases be discussed again before the full court.”
