HC judges should come through judicial exams: Former district judge

HYDERABAD: Former district judge P. Ranjan Kumar demanded that judicial examinations must be conducted for all those aspiring to be Supreme Court and High Court judges.

Stating that the present selection pattern of judges is ridden with nepotism, opaqueness and favoritism, Ranjan Kumar on Saturday made a representation to the President of India to consider introduction of written examinations in the appointment of High Court judges so as to bring efficient judges in the constitutional courts in order to uphold the stature of judges.

However, he said that he was not against the collegium system, which is now appointing judges to the top courts. But, to ensure that capable persons are appointed as judges, a written judicial examination must be introduced. Based on the exam results, the collegium could nominate eligible candidates as judges of the High Court.

Further, he urged judges of the Supreme Court and high courts to ensure that committees formed to inquire the complaints and allegations against judicial officers should include executive officials or authorities from the Governor’s office or the vigilance commission.

He said that it was due to favoritism and caste equations that he was denied promotion as a judge of the High Court, even though he belongs to the SC community.