Delhi HC Bench: Recuses To Hear Review Plea Challenging Appointment Of CJI Chandrachud

The Delhi High Court bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad recused itself from hearing a review petition on Friday against an order dismissing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging Justice DY Chandrachud’s appointment as the 50th Chief Justice of India (CJI).

While recusing itself from hearing the case, the Division Bench of Justice Satish Chander Sharma and Subramonium Prasad stated on Friday, “we had passed the order dismissing this PIL, it would be appropriate if the review plea is heard by some other bench.”

Prior to this, the same bench had termed the petition as a Publicity Interest Litigation (PIL) and imposed Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari, the petitioner, a fee of Rs 1 lakh. The petitioner filing the petition is the president of the Gram Uday Foundation.

The bench had the Delhi HC while dismissing the petition stated that “present petition has only been filed only to gain publicity without there being any material.”

The petitioner argued that the appointment of CJI Chandrachud violated constitutional provisions. He had asked for an immediate stay on the appointment.

He also requested that security agencies conduct an investigation to ensure that the New CJI has no ties to Naxalites, terrorists, or anti-nationals.

Justice DY Chandrachud was sworn in as Chief Justice of India on November 9, 2022, after Justice Uday Umesh Lalit demitted office. He is a senior judge on the Supreme Court of India, has been appointed as the country’s 50th Chief Justice. Justice Chandrachud will have a tenure as a CJI till November 10, 2024.

Justice YV Chandrachud, the father of Justice Chandrachud, served as India’s 16th Chief Justice from February 2, 1978, to July 11, 1985.

This is the first time in the judiciary’s history that a father and son have held the position of Chief Justice.

As a progressive and liberal judge in the nation, Justice Chandrachud is well-known. The most defining quality of Justice Chandrachud is renowned for his firm stance on the abusers, and he is also regarded as being extremely attentive to the fundamental rights of citizens.