Prepare Memorandum of Procedure on judges’ appointments: SC to Centre

New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the views of the Centre and states should be taken into account and asked the government to prepare a memorandum of procedure (MOP) in consultation with the Chief Justice of India to enable transparency in appointment of judges.
A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice J S Khehar asked the Centre to take into consideration suggestions on issues of eligibility, transparency, setting up Secretariat for appointment of judges, redressal of complaints and other issues in the MOP on appointment of judges.
The bench said the MOP on appointment of judges in higher judiciary should be finalised with consultation of the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who will take decision in consultation with complete unanimity of the collegium consisting of four puny (senior) judges.While dealing with the eligibility criteria, the judges of high courts and Supreme Court, the bench also comprising justices J Chelameswar, M B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and A K Goel, said the MOP should take note of describing minimum age which will act as guidance of the collegium and the views of state governments and the Centre should also be taken into account.