Justice DY Chandrachud is set to be the 50th Chief Justice of India. (File)
Chief Justice of India UU Lalit has recommended Justice DY Chandrachud as his successor and cannot clear any more appointments to the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice, who retires on November 8, has handed over the letter of recommendation to Justice Chandrachud.
The Union Law ministry had last Friday written to the Chief Justice, requesting him to name his successor. In a rare move, the ministry had even tweeted about it.
The timing of the move too assumed significance as the Chief Justice cannot preside over any meeting of the collegium, the Supreme Court body for the appointments of judges, or clear any appointment once his successor is name.
Citing the same rule, Justice Lalit had prevented his predecessor Justice NV Ramana from clearing two appointments.
Thus, the Justice Lalit-led collegium cannot make recommendations to fill the four judges' vacancies in the Supreme Court.
Justice Chandrachud, who is set to be the 50th Chief Justice of India, would have a tenure of two years. He is due to retire on November 10, 2024.