CJI favours elevation of lawyers directly to apex court

Outgoing Chief Justice of India R M Lodha today said senior and competent advocates should also be directly elevated as apex court judges as has been done by him and hoped that his successors will follow the policy.
He revealed that during his tenure, five lawyers were considered for appointment as apex court judges but finally only two were appointed.
"In the first list of four names that I sent after consulting with my brother judges, two names were from the bar. Unfortunately, name of one of the recommended names got in controversy and ultimately he had to withdraw his consent.

"In the second list of four recommended names I sent name of one member from the bar. I am very happy to tell you that I was able with the help of my colleagues to have two members from the bar as judges of this court. I and my brother and sister judges are proud of those judges who have been recruited from the bar," he said.
Regards the remaining two, he said one of them finally declined citing his personal reasons and other name could not go ahead.
"I hope this exercise continues and I hope that talent from the bar will not be neglected for this court," he said.

Justices R F Nariman and U U Lalit have been elevated directly as apex court judges.