SC refuses to stay Indu Malhotra's appointment as apex court judge
New Delhi, April 26: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stay appointment of senior woman lawyer Indu Malhotra as an apex court judge on the issue of its second recommendation not being accepted, saying the government could send back a judge's name for reconsideration.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y Chandrachud made the observation on a plea of senior advocate Indira Jaising who demanded that Malhotra be not sworn in as the apex court judge and the government be directed to recommend the name of Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K.M. Joseph as well.
Lawyers filing a petition to seek stay of appointment of a member of the bar is "unimaginable, unthinkable, inconceivable and, to say the least, never heard of", said the bench, adding that government is "well within its right to send back the recommendation for reconsideration"."
"Constitutional propriety demands that the warrant of appointment of Indu Malhotra be implemented."
The Central government has asked the top court collegium to reconsider its recommendation for the elevation of Justice K.M. Joseph as a judge of the Supreme Court, but cleared the appointment of senior lawyer Indu Malhotra.
Referring to the government's decision, Jaising told the bench that it cannot be done and either both names should have been recommended or rejected.
Reiterating that the government is within its right to send back a name for reconsideration, the court said that when such a reference comes, the Collegium will deal with it in accordance with Supreme Court judgments and the Constitution.
The advocate sought urgent hearing of the plea, which the apex court denied.
Jaising told the court that more than 100 lawyers have signed the petition and question the decision of Centre to "cherry pick" names recommendeded for appointment as apex court judges.
The signatories have also agreed to a resolution seeking urgent convening of Supreme Court Bar Association meeting to discuss the issues arising from the controversy over judge appointments.
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Shah Rukh Khan Announces 'King' as a Pan-World Project, Credits Indian Fans for His Global Success
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has revealed that his next film, King, is designed as a "pan-world" project, highlighting the expanding reach of Indian cinema on the global stage. The announcement came during a fan event in the city on his birthday days agi, where Khan expressed deep appreciation for his Indian fans, crediting them for his international success.
At the event, Khan responded to a question from an American fan, who praised him as a “pan-world superstar,” following the success of his recent films, Pathaan and Jawan. Khan shared his pride into representing India globally, saying, "I’m taking India to places I once thought were impossible." He highlighted how Indian audiences have supported him throughout his career, allowing him to make a mark worldwide. “The subcontinent has taken me to places I thought were impossible for me,” he added.
Khan also discussed his commitment to creating original, high-quality stories that resonate globally. "Language is no longer a barrier," he remarked, emphasising that Indian cinema is gaining international appeal as it reaches wider audiences. "We need to write stories that touch hearts while maintaining quality," he noted, adding that he hopes to play a role in furthering this trend.
The choice to title King in English was intentional, aimed at connecting with global viewers. “I now title my films in English so that people in America know what it means,” he said with a smile, concluding, "Take a message back home from India: 'The King is coming'."
Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, King is set to release in mid-2026, featuring Khan alongside his daughter Suhana Khan and actor Abhishek Bachchan.
