Why has India never appointed a 'distinguished jurist' to SC, asks Justice Bhuyan

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of the Supreme Court has raised a pertinent question about why India has not appointed a 'distinguished jurist' to the apex court in its 76 years of existence. Justice Bhuyan has called for serious attention to Article 124(3) of the Constitution, which provides for such appointments.

Article 124(3) allows for the appointment of eminent jurists with distinguished records to the Supreme Court, outside the regular collegium process. Justice Bhuyan's remarks highlight a constitutional provision that has remained largely unused despite its availability as an avenue for strengthening the judiciary.