The News Freedom
Chandigarh, November 2
The Central government on Thursday approved the appointment of three advocates Sumeet Goel, Sudeepti Sharma and Kirti Singh as the additional judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the names of five advocates including Harmeet Singh Grewal, Deepinder Singh Nalwa, Sumeet Goel, Sudeepti Sharma, and Kirti Singh for elevation as Punjab and Haryana High Court Judges. The Supreme Court Collegium comprising of Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sanjiv Khanna on October 17 in its resolution said that on April 21, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues recommended the elevation of the five advocates as judges of that High Court. The chief ministers and the governors for the states of Punjab and Haryana have concurred with the recommendation.” the Collegium further said. The advocates inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice, the Collegium said.
“ In order to ascertain the suitability of the advocates for elevation to the High Court, we have consulted our colleagues conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana. For the purpose of assessing the merit and suitability of the above candidates for elevation to the High Court, we have scrutinized and evaluated the material placed on record,” the Collegium said.
The Supreme Court further said.“ We have also perused the observations made by the Department of Justice in the file as well as the complaints received against the candidates.”
Providing details about advocate Harmeet Singh Grewal, the Collegium said that two of the three consultee-Judges have unanimously given a positive opinion on the suitability of the candidate for appointment as a Judge of the High Court. The other consultee-Judge has not offered any opinion. There is nothing adverse against integrity of the candidate. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a Judge of the High Court, the Collegium said.
Sharing details about advocate Deepinder Singh Nalwa, the Collegium said that all the three consultee-Judges have unanimously given positive opinion on the suitability of the candidate for appointment as a Judge of the High Court. The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that his financial integrity is not considered above board. These inputs are vague and the Government in this regard has fairly stated that there is nothing on record to substantiate these adverse inputs.
“The candidate has extensive practice which is reflected in a substantial number of reported judgments delivered in the cases in which he appeared/ argued. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court.” the Collegium added.
Discussing details about advocate Sumeet Goel, the Collegium said that the two of the three consultee-Judges have unanimously given a positive opinion on the suitability of the candidate for appointment as a Judge of the High Court. The other consultee-Judge has not offered any opinion. The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that the candidate enjoys a good personal and professional image and that nothing adverse as to his integrity has come to notice.
“The candidate has extensive practice which is reflected in his professional income and the substantially large number of reported judgments delivered in the cases in which he appeared/argued. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court.” the Collegium further said.
Divulging details about advocate Sudeepti Sharma, the Collegium said that we have considered the opinion of our consultee-colleagues. The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that the candidate enjoys a good personal image and that nothing adverse as to her integrity has come to notice. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a Judge of the High Court.
Sharing details about advocate Kirti Singh, the Collegium said that we have considered the opinion of our consultee-colleagues. The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that the candidate enjoys a good personal and professional image and that nothing adverse as to her integrity has come to notice. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a Judge of the High Court.