‘Vasanthakumar deserves Supreme Court chair’

MBA president R Shunmugasundaram, in a statement, has said that that Madras High Court continues to be poorly represented at the apex court. 

Also, on pointing out that Justice R Banumathi is the only judge from the High Court, which has always had “two or more judges” serving at the Supreme Court, he said Justice Vasanthakumar, is the senior-most judge across all the twenty-four high courts and he retires on March 14 this year. 

Similarly, MHAA, president, G Mohan Krishnan, on explaining about the resolution passed in this regard, said Justice Paul Vasantha Kumar is one of the fine and impeccable judge of the Madras High Court, who had risen to the position by sheer hard work and honesty. He also noted that after the retirement of Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifulla and Justice C Nagappan, both of whom hailed from the Madras High Court, there is a vacancy in the Supreme Court meant for Madras, a chartered high court.

He also noted that despite Paul Vasantha Kumar being cleared by the previous collegium in October 2016, he has not been recommended for elevation this time.

The Women Lawyers Association, president V Nailini also pointed out that barring Justice R Banumathi, there is no adequate representation for the High Court of Madras at the Supreme Court and hence the candidature of Justice Paul Vasantha Kumar who is due for superannuation in March 2017, should be considered.