[UPDATE] SCBA claims CJI NV Ramana agreed to proposal to elevate Supreme Court lawyers as High Court judges; Not confirmed by CJI office

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) claimed through a communication sent to its members that Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana "has agreed" to a request made by SCBA to consider elevating Supreme Court lawyers as High Court judges. .The office of CJI, however, did not confirm the same but stated that it has received a proposal from the SCBA on the issue. .SCBA President Senior Advocate Vikas Singh informed SCBA members that on May 31, Singh and Executive committee had proposed the same to CJI Ramana. .The bar members had also stated that there are large number of lady advocates practicing before Supreme Court who should be considered for elevation. They had further highlighted that High Courts do not recommend lady advocates on the ground that there are not enough lady lawyers fit for elevation..The CJI, the SCBA communication claimed, accepted the proposal. ."The undersigned is pleased to inform you that the Honble CJI has agreed to the request made by SCBA and has requested the Chief Justices of the High Courts to consider lawyers practicing in the Supreme Court for elevation to their High Courts," the communication by SCBA Executive Committee to its members said. Pursuant to the CJI's green signal, the Executive Committee of SCBA has constituted a 'search committee' comprising the, Vice President and Senior Member Mahalakshmi Pavani and four eminent members of the Bar, Rakesh Dwivedi, Shekhar Naphade, Vijay Hansaria and V Giri to facilitate the process of elevation by identifying deserving and meritorious Supreme Court practitioners. .However, Supreme Court sources have confirmed that the proposal is still under consideration before CJI NV Ramana and is yet to get a formal approval..The High Court Collegium may then consider such names alongwith the lawyers from the High Court Bar in order to choose the most deserving candidate amongst those available for elevation, the communication further stated. .SCBA President Senior Advocate Vikas Singh had earlier written to CJI NV Ramana reiterating the request for considering lawyers practicing in the Supreme Court for elevation as High Court judges.Singh said that lawyers practicing before the Surpeme Court have vast experience and best exposure in dealing with all kinds of issues relating to civil, criminal, constitutional, commercial law etc but are rarely considered by the High Court Collegium as they do not regularly practice before High Courts. .[Read SCBA communication]