In a major move to prevent operational gridlock across key judicial bodies, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a blanket extension for the tenures of all tribunal chairpersons, presidents, and members whose terms were set to expire over the coming months.
The extension will remain in effect until September 8, safeguarding the uninterrupted functioning of these essential forums.
The order was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi. The decision was reached during the mentioning of a pending case, highlighting the court’s proactive stance on maintaining administrative stability.
The immediate catalyst for the ruling involved a judicial member of the National Green Tribunal whose term was slated to expire this June. Recognizing the potential disruption, the bench extended his tenure as well, aligning it with the new September 8 deadline.
The decision received immediate cooperation from the government. Attorney General R Venkataramani, representing the Centre, formally agreed to the blanket extension during the court proceedings.
This cooperative measure ensures that tribunals will not face sudden vacancies or leadership deficits during the mid-year period.
The temporary extensions serve as a bridge to a more permanent solution. The Supreme Court bench noted that a selection committee is already scheduled to convene on September 8. During this upcoming meeting, the committee will deliberate on official appointments and further tenure extensions, establishing a clear path forward for tribunal leadership.
