Collegium clears names to fill vacancies in SC

NEW DELHI: The Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana met on Tuesday evening and was understood to have cleared names for appointment as judges of the Supreme Court, which at present has nine vacancies.
SC sources could not confirm the exact number of names cleared by the Collegium, which also comprising Justices U U Lalit, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and L N Rao. As a result of complete stalling of Collegium’s work for nearly two years, the vacancies in the SC have risen to nine with the retirement of Justice R F Nariman. The SC has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, but is functioning now with a strength of 25 judges.
The vacancies will increase to 10 after Justice Navin Sinha retires on Wednesday, August 18. The process of selection of judges for elevation to the SC was stalled as Justice Nariman, as a member of the Collegium, had steadfastly opposed the Collegium recommending any other name prior to clearing the two Chief Justices, for whom he rooted for.