GOVT CLEARS 2 JUDGES AMID TUSSLE OVER APPOINTMENTS

Amid escalating tension between the executive and the judiciary over the collegium system of appointing judges, the central government on Tuesday cleared two names recommended in September for high court judgeship, a day after the Supreme Court expressed its deep anguish over the government sitting on recommendations of the collegium.

The two appointments to the Bombay high court on Tuesday came three days after the government returned 19 recommendations, including 10 names that were reiterated by the collegium — the prime concern expressed by the apex court on Monday when it was not aware of the names having been sent back.

The collegium is expected to meet sometime next week, when all five of the senior-most judges are available.