Govt bound to appoint Joseph if collegium reiterates, say experts: Updates

The government's opposition to Justice Joseph's elevation is likely to deepen the rift between the executive and the judiciary

The Narendra Modi-led central government on Thursday sent back for reconsideration the Supreme Court collegium’s recommendation for the elevation of Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph to the apex court. The collegium had recommended the names of Joseph and senior advocate Indu Malhotra for elevation to the Supreme Court. The latter’s elevation was accepted.

Now, the Supreme Court collegium can either withdraw its recommendation on Joseph or choose to stick to it – in the latter case, it will be binding on the government to accept.

Earlier in the day, even as the recommendation had been on hold,