Supreme Court to hear plea against Kerala Governor Justice P Sathasivam

New Delhi: Even as the Centre is considering the appointment of Kerala Governor Justice P. Sathasivam as the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission to succeed Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, demitting office next month, the Supreme Court is likely to hear on April 20 a writ petition to restrain the government from considering his name for selection for the NHRC chief post.

Senior counsel S.B. Singh made a “mention” before a bench comprising Chief Justice H.L. Dattu and Justice Arun Mishra for early listing of the writ petition filed by Adish C. Aggarwala, president of the All India Bar Association, stating that eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani will appear for the petitioner and that it should be listed on April 20. Chief Justice Dattu informed the counsel that he would go through the papers and consider his request.

The petitioner alleged that the Centre was considering the name of Justice Sathasivam for the post of NHRC chief as the sole candidate without following the proper procedure and without considering the fact that the integrity of the esteemed institution would be at stake if the said appointment was given effect to.

The petitioner said, “The Central government is not only considering but has already obtained consent of Justice P. Sathasivam for his appointment as chairperson of the NHRC without considering other eligible former chief justices of India R.M. Lodha, Altamas Kabir and S.H. Kapadia.”

The petitioner contended that failure to obtain consent of these former chief justices for consideration for appointment as the National Human Rights Commission chairperson and obtaining consent of only Justice Sathasivam would vitiate the selection process.