Rejecting the government’s objections, the Supreme Court collegium has reiterated its recommendation to elevate Justices Aniruddha Bose and AS Bopanna to the apex court, observing that nothing adverse has been found regarding their competence, conduct or integrity.

The collegium has also recommended the names of Justices BR Gavai and Surya Kant for elevation. The five-member collegium, headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, deliberated on the elevation of the four HC judges and its resolution said: “The collegium resolves to reiterate the recommendation dated April 12, especially since nothing adverse regarding competence, conduct or integrity of Justices  Bose and Bopanna has been pointed out.”

The government had earlier returned the names of the two judges, citing seniority and representation of regions as the reasons. Justice Bose is the Chief Justice of Jharkhand HC and is at number 12 in all-India seniority of judges.