At least 16 (34%) of the 47 judges in the Punjab and Haryana high court have kith and kin practising law at the same place.
Three senior judges of the high courts select and submit names for the position of next high court judge since the Collegium entered the scene. The five most senior judges on the Supreme Court choose the nominee. They will only choose names that fall under their purview or understanding. In an interview with Aaj Tak, Kiren Rijiju stated, "The Collegium has created the situation where the judges will take the names of only those that they know."
"The government had a broader view because we were not from the judiciary," stated the law minister. However, only the judges that they are familiar with are discussed in the Collegium. Judges who lack knowledge will not be suggested.
"The controversy surrounding the appointment of judges and the issue of uncle judge syndrome will persist until the Collegium system is implemented," Kiren Rijiju stated.
