SC Collegium clears five appointments to Calcutta HC, rejects one for not qualifying income criterion

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended five lawyers for appointment as judges of Calcutta High Court.

The five are:

(1) Shampa Sarkar

(2) Sabyasachi Chaudhury,

(3) Ravi Krishan Kapur

(4) Arindam Mukherjee

(5) Sakya Sen

Interestingly, one of the appointees, Sakya Sen, has been cleared though he does not meet the age criterion of 45. The resolution passed on December 4 states that the name was recommended by the High Court Collegium considering the ability and performance in the Court and the shortage of Judges from the Bar. The Supreme Court Collegium, therefore, relaxed the age criterion.

“In the case of Shri Sakya Sen, we approve his name for elevation in relaxation of the age criterion.”

One of the names, that of Piush Chaturvedi, was however rejected on the ground that he does not qualify the ‘income criterion’.

The resolution passed by Supreme Court Collegium reads:

“As regards Shri Piush Chaturvedi (mentioned at Sl. No. 1 above) his average professional income is well below the prescribed minimum professional income limit. As he does not qualify the income criterion, the proposal for his elevation to the High Court does not inspire confidence and is, therefore, rejected.”

Read the resolution below.