Former Justice Kaul criticizes Chandrachud in upcoming memoir

Sanjay Kishan Kaul D.Y. Chandrachud Supreme Court of India judicial appointments Collegium system

In his forthcoming memoir, ‘Without Fear of Favour’, former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul criticizes former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud for being “too deferential” to the government regarding judicial appointments.

Kaul alleges that Chandrachud occasionally sought the government’s “nod” or views before the Collegium had formally deliberated on candidates. He describes an instance where Chandrachud considered contacting the government to check their stance on a potential sixth candidate during a meeting intended to fill five vacancies. Kaul also notes a disagreement involving a candidate from a minority faith and describes a “bizarre” government query regarding a judge candidate's caste.

The Congress party has cited these revelations to raise concerns about the independence of the judiciary under the Modi administration. Kaul, who retired in December 2023, suggests that seeking executive approval prior to formal judicial discussions may allow the government to influence the appointment process.

Entities

Congress · D.Y. Chandrachud · Modi government · Sanjay Kishan Kaul · Supreme Court of India

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The Congress party cited the memoir to question judicial independence under the Modi government. www.orissapost.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Sanjay Kishan Kaul is publishing a memoir titled ‘Without Fear of Favour’ in October 2026. thenews21.com · scroll.in
[● 3 SOURCES] The government raised a query regarding the caste of a judge candidate from a minority faith. thenews21.com · www.orissapost.com · scroll.in
[○ 1 SOURCE] Chandrachud considered calling the government to check their view on a sixth candidate during a Collegium meeting. scroll.in
[● 3 SOURCES] Kaul alleges the government's views were sometimes sought before formal Collegium discussions. thenews21.com · www.orissapost.com · scroll.in
[● 3 SOURCES] Kaul describes D.Y. Chandrachud as being “too deferential” to the government regarding judicial appointments. thenews21.com · www.orissapost.com · scroll.in