Collegium Decisions Were Unanimous: Ex-CJI Chandrachud

Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has categorically stated that collegium decisions made during his tenure as head of the Supreme Court were unanimous, with no dissent recorded among members. In a statement addressing recent memoir claims, Chandrachud emphasised that former CJI U.U. Kaul had endorsed all recommendations presented before the collegium, refuting suggestions of government influence over judicial appointments.

The remarks come in response to allegations contained in a recently published memoir that suggested the collegium may have deferred to government preferences in making judicial appointments. Chandrachud's clarification underscores the collegium's independence in matters of judicial recruitment and promotion, a process governed by conventions established over decades of judicial practice.

The collegium system, which comprises the Chief Justice of India and four senior-most judges, is responsible for recommending appointments and transfers of judges to higher courts. The mechanism has long been debated, with questions periodically raised about transparency and the interplay between the judiciary and executive branches.

Chandrachud's statement comes as the judiciary continues to face scrutiny over appointment procedures and the composition of higher courts. His assertion of unanimous collegium decisions seeks to establish that recommendations were made through consensus rather than any individual or external pressure influencing outcomes.