Collegium has taken cognisance of material against Victoria Gowri; will hear petition against appointment tomorrow: CJI DY Chandrachud

The Supreme Court on Monday said that certain material relating to advocate L Victoria Gowri, who was recommended by the Collegium for appointment as Madras High Court judge, came to the Collegium's notice only after the recommendation was made. .Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said that the Collegium has taken cognisance of the same and the petition filed by lawyers from Madras High Court against Gowri's appointment will be heard tomorrow itself."We have seen the plea and we have read it. There are certain developments which have taken place. Collegium has taken cognisance of what came to our notice and it was after our recommendation," the CJI said.He was hearing a mentioning made by Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran seeking urgent listing of the plea in view of the fact the Gowri's appointment has already been cleared by the Central government."I will constitute a bench and this matter will be placed before that bench tomorrow morning," the CJI said."List before appropriate bench on February 7, 2023," the Court directed..Gowri has been in the eye of the storm ever since the Collegium recommended her elevation to the Madras High Court on January 17.This kicked off discussion in legal circles and on social media about Gowri's credentials and her alleged affiliation to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).An unverified Twitter account allegedly belonging to Gowri claimed in its bio that she was the National General Secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha. A tweet from this handle, posted on August 31, 2019, says, "I just joined the BJP, you too can join the BJP and join hands to help create a New India!"Pertinently, her remarks against Islam and Christianity which are available on YouTube also kicked up a storm.In a video from February 2018, titled More Threat to National Security & Peace? Jihad or Christian Missionary? - Answers Victoria Gowri, Gowri is seen saying,"Like Islam is green terror, Christianity is white terror.""Christian groups are more dangerous than Islam groups. Both are equally dangerous in the context of love jihad," Gowri can be heard saying in the interview.In the other interview from June 5, 2018, Gowri said, among other things, that "Bharatanatyam should not be danced for Christian songs."A group of lawyers then wrote to the President of India and the Chief Justice of India (CJI) registering their protest against the proposed elevation.Subsequently, some lawyers from Madurai also wrote to the CJI in support of Gowri.