Chaini Parwani –
Published On: November 16, 2021 at 16:45 IST
The Supreme Court Collegium nominated Senior Advocate Saurabh Kirpal as Judge of the Delhi High Court. The decision on this was being denied at least four times since 2018.
The Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana took the call on Kirpal’s name at a meeting held on November 11, despite repeated objections by the Government which red-flagged his elevation alleging conflict of interest as his partner is European and works with the Swiss Embassy.
The Supreme Court Collegium’s nomination comes three years after it first considered Kirpal’s candidature in 2018, and later decided to defer its decision.
Kirpal’s recommendation was done on three other occasions – January 2019, April 2019, and August 2020.
It was highlighted that Kirpal is Gay and, if selected, his elevation will mark a milestone point in Gay Rights.
It also came into light that Kirpal was counsel for two Petitioners in the Landmark Case in which the Apex Court Decriminalized Homosexuality.
The then Chief Justice of India SA Bobde pertaining to rejection of Kirpal’s appointment drafted to then Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in February demanding an explanation on the Intelligence Inputs that the collegium had on Kirpal.
The Government replied by questioning the Nationality of Kirpal’s Partner.
Two of the three members of the Delhi High Court collegium that recommended Kirpal’s name – Justices Sanjeev Khanna and Ravindra Bhat – are now judges of the Supreme Court.
On March 19, was seen as an endorsement of Kirpal, he was unanimously designated senior Advocate by all 31 judges of the Delhi High Court.
Also Read: SC collegium to take call on Saurabh Kirpal’s elevation as HC judge after Centre’s objection