Ensure inclusive representation:Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
Last Updated on January 15, 2025 by Shianjany Pradhan
The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry has sent a letter to the Chief Justice of India and the members of the Supreme Court Collegium, to ensure inclusive representation in the process of appointing judges to the Madras High Court.
The Madras High Court has 66 judges, which is below its sanctioned strength of 75.
With several senior judges set to retire this year, the number of vacancies is expected to rise significantly.
This has prompted the Bar Council to express its concerns and make specific requests regarding the composition of the judiciary.
The letter, signed by PS Amalraj, Chairman, and Senior Advocates S. Prabhakaran and V. Karthikeyan, Vice Chairmen of the Bar Council, called on the Collegium to ensure that all eligible and deserving candidates are considered for elevation to the bench.
The letter further emphasized the importance of including advocates from diverse sections of society, including different castes, creeds, and religions, to maintain a fair and balanced representation. It stated that, “In a democratic country like India, it is vital that all sections of society, regardless of caste, creed, or religion, are eligible and suitable for appointment, provided they meet the necessary constitutional eligibility criteria.”
Referring to the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Registrar General, High Court of Madras v. R. Gandhi and Others, the Bar Council pointed out the Court’s emphasis on diversity in judicial appointments.
