CHENNAI: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Madras High Court seeking a direction to restrain authorities from taking further action on the recommendations made by the Collegium for appointment of judges to the Madras High Court.

There are 20 vacant posts of judges in HC for which, 13 advocates have been recommended by the Collegium comprising the HC Chief Justice and two senior judges.

Advocate A Prem Kumar from Tiruvannamalai has filed the PIL contending that the recommendations have been made in violation of the constitutional procedure, and seeking a stay on any action based on them.

He also stated that Justice Nisha Banu, who was transferred to Kerala HC, and who had been the second senior most judge of the Madras HC till December 19, was not consulted, and instead a recommendation was made to include including Justice MS Ramesh (third senior judge), which is contrary to the constitutional scheme and procedure.

It was also alleged that several persons recommended for appointment as judges were either affiliated to the ruling party at the Centre or to the former ruling party in TN, which would affect the independence of the judiciary and erode public confidence.

Stating that judges must be appointed purely on merit, the petition sought an order restraining the Union and State governments from proceeding further on the basis of the present recommendations of the HC Collegium, and a direction to the HC registry to reconsider the recommendations.

The petition is expected to be taken up for hearing before the vacation court on December 26.