Justice Dattu to be next CJI

The senior-most Supreme Court judge Justice H L Dattu is likely to become the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) as the government has reportedly cleared his appointment to the post. The Centre’s decision came after CJI R M Lodha recommended Dattu’s name to the top post in the judiciary. Justice Dattu’s file has been forwarded to the President, the sources said. Since Justice Lodha is to retire on September 27, the process for the appointment of his successor has started. Justice Dattu will assume charge on September 28 and would continue as the CJI till December 2, 2015. Notably, his appointment comes in the backdrop of a move to scrap the collegium system of appointment of judges in the higher judiciary by replacing it with a National Judicial Appointment Commission with a say from the executive. At present, Justice Dattu, who joined the apex court on December, 17, 2008, is presiding over the bench hearing the 2G case, black money case and Gujarat riot cases among others. Born on December 13, 1950, he started his practice as an advocate at the age of 25 in Bangalore. He worked as government pleader for sales tax department from 1983, besides appearing in various capacities before the Karnataka High Court. He was appointed as a judge of the Karnataka High Court on December 18, 1995. He also served as Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court for three months in 2007 before his transfer to the Kerala High Court. DHNS