Endorsing the appointment of the four advocates as judges of the high courts in Jharkhand and Tripura, the collegium said the Intelligence Bureau's comments on the professional competence of the candidates do not count. "Professional competence can best be determined by the members of the higher judiciary," it said. On the bureau's comments on the integrity of the candidates, the collegium said it would "not be appropriate to take cognisance of any unsubstantiated information based on discreet inquiries". The candidature of advocate Pankaj Kumar, proposed by the Jharkhand High Court collegium and endorsed by the chief minister and governor, was rejected. Three additional judges at Gauhati High Court have been recommended for a year's extension.

Source: The Telegraph November 03, 2017 21:00 UTC