Maintenance, repair details of grounded UK F-35B fighter jet in Kerala to remain confidential
Thiruvananthapuram: The United Kingdom has decided to conduct repair and maintenance work on its grounded F-35B fighter jet at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala. However, all operational details surrounding the aircraft’s servicing will reportedly be kept a closely guarded secret.
Citing sources close to the UK government, The Hindu reported that authorities would not disclose specifics regarding the repair process or share details of any private communications with the Government of India. Despite the secrecy, the UK side expressed confidence that the aircraft will be fully restored and return to active service with the Royal Air Force once repairs and safety checks are completed.
The F-35B fighter, a multi-role combat aircraft, is known for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, has remained grounded at the airport after it developed a technical fault. Initial attempts by the crew to address the issue reportedly failed.
Additionally, the details of the flight that issued a distress signal on the night of June 14 off the coast of Thiruvananthapuram, as per the flight radar data, were reportedly removed from the site.
Meanwhile, the British High Commission stated the aircraft is awaiting repairs at the airport after developing an engineering issue. The aircraft will be moved to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment. However, there is still no clarity on when the expert team will arrive and why there has been an inordinate delay, added the report.
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Justice Nagarathna dissents on SC collegium’s recommendation of Justice Pancholi
Dissent cites seniority concerns, Gujarat High Court’s over-representation
New Delhi: Supreme Court judge B.V. Nagarathna has recorded a dissent note against the collegium’s recommendation to elevate Patna High Court Chief Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi to the apex court, The Indian Express reported.
The five-member collegium, comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, J.K. Maheshwari, and Nagarathna, reached the decision with a 4–1 split. Justice Nagarathna, the lone woman on the bench, opposed Pancholi’s elevation, citing concerns over seniority and regional representation.
Justice Pancholi ranks 57th on the all-India seniority list of high court judges. Justice Nagarathna reportedly objected to the move, noting that it came less than three months after another judge from the Gujarat High Court, Justice N.V. Anjaria, was elevated to the Supreme Court. She argued that advancing Pancholi would bypass several senior judges and further increase Gujarat’s representation at the top court, while other high courts remain underrepresented.
Her dissenting note, according to reports, emphasized that such decisions could undermine the credibility of the collegium system and have long-term consequences for the administration of justice.
Justice Pancholi, who served nearly two decades in the Gujarat High Court, was transferred to Patna High Court in July 2023 and appointed its Chief Justice in July 2025. His elevation, along with that of Justice Anjaria, was intended to maintain Gujarat’s representation in the Supreme Court following the retirements of Justices M.R. Shah and Bela Trivedi earlier this year.
With a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, the Supreme Court follows criteria of seniority, merit, integrity, and regional balance in appointments. Justice Nagarathna’s dissent highlights ongoing debates about diversity and fairness in judicial elevations.
