CJI BOBDE GIVES GOVT 4 WEEKS TO CLEAR ELEVATION OF A GAY LAWYER

30th March 2021

CJI SA Bobde wrote a letter to Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad over the centre's delay in elevating Delhi HC Advocate Saurabh Kripal as a judge of Delhi HC, giving him four weeks to provide additional information on Adv Kripali's elevation. CJI also asked to clarify whether elevation is pending because Kripal is a gay man.

Kripal's name was discussed by CJI Bobde and the other two collegium members on 2nd March. The Collegiums deferred its deliberation thrice on this issue. Some judges have also sought an opinion from former CJI Gogoi; he pointed that Kripal should not be judged on his sexual orientation but his knowledge.

CJI Bobde gave a four-week deadline to respond; he further mentioned that if the government fails to provide a reasonable decision within the prescribed time, the collegium shall move on its own decision. As more than three years have passed still, the SC did not take any decision.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal

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