Ahead of his retirement on April 23, Chief Justice of India SA Bobde on Wednesday recommended the name of Justice NV Ramana — the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court — as his successor.
The CJI has sent a letter recommending Justice NV Ramana to be appointed as the 48th CJI to Law Ministry. Justice NV Ramana will take over as the 48th CJI on April 24, 2021, and will retire on August 26, 2022.
The Centre had last week asked him to recommend his successor. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had reportedly sent a letter to Justice Bobde, seeking his recommendation, as is the practice under the Memorandum of Procedure for Appointment of Chief Justice of India.
According to the protocol for the appointment of members of the higher judiciary, the senior-most judge after the CJI is entitled to hold this constitutional office. He should also be ‘considered fit to hold the office’.
But the procedure requires the law minister to seek the recommendation of the outgoing CJI “at the appropriate time” for appointing the next Chief Justice of India.
Speaking at an event to commemorate 25 years of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in Delhi, Justice NV Ramana on Monday had said, “Ever since we declared ourselves to be an independent nation, we found ourselves caught between the twin problems of ‘poverty’ and ‘access to justice’. The architects of modern India had debated this issue on several national and international platforms. Sadly, even after 74 years of independence, we are still discussing the same issue.”
The Supreme Court judge further added India being the second most populous nation in the world is a force to reckon with, but on the other side of this success story, there are millions of Indians who still live without the basic fundamental rights, including access to justice.
“I would take this opportunity to remind all my lawyer friends, that you are the successors of our founding fathers. Never forget your duty towards your society. Please listen to those whose voice is the weakest in society, and understand the plight of those who cannot afford legal fees. Extend a helping hand whenever you can,” he said.
