This refers to reports that Chief Justice of India Hl Dattu has refused to be part of the panel to select two members of the National Judicial Appointments Commission. The Chief Justice of India's move was unexpected. As pointed out by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, Chief Justice Dattu's decision has led to a constitutional crisis. He is within his rights to have felt that his being part of the deliberation to pick two eminent persons on the panel, would amount to a conflict of interest.
However, could anybody have accused the Chief Justice of India of being in conflict when the search panel's meeting is purely administrative and when the panel includes the Prime Minister and the Opposition leaderIJ If Chief Justice Dattu does not relent, urgent options should be explored to end the stalemate, because several additional judges of High Courts will face the piquant situation of not being confirmed — an unprecedented event in India's judiciary.