Justice Bhuyan Flags 76-Year Absence of 'Distinguished Jurists' in SC

Justice Bhuyan, a Supreme Court judge, recently brought to light a significant and long-standing issue within India's top judiciary. He pointed out that despite the Constitution completing over 76 years, not a single 'distinguished jurist' has been appointed to the Supreme Court bench, a provision specifically outlined in the Constitution.

Speaking at the 13th convocation ceremony for postgraduate students at National Law University, Delhi, Justice Bhuyan termed this an "unused mandate" and a regrettable omission. He strongly advocated for the inclusion of legal academics, dismissing the assertion that scholars lack practical experience as a "very shallow objection." He highlighted that constitutional courts in several countries, including the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Kenya, regularly appoint distinguished academics as judges.

Justice Bhuyan emphasized that the Supreme Court, as the nation's "moral, legal and constitutional conscience keeper," should transcend mere technicalities.

He argued that the bench would greatly benefit from the academic scholarship of distinguished jurists, who could bring a broader perspective to public law issues and diversify the court's intellectual landscape.

He further noted that India possesses numerous highly talented legal academics whose contributions to the development of law have been underappreciated. According to Justice Bhuyan, such a jurist could offer immense value to the bench, significantly enhancing the decision-making process at the highest level through their scholarship.

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