New Delhi: Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna Tuesday recused from hearing PILs which challenged a provision in the 2023 law that put home ministerinstead of CJI as laid down by SC, in the panel, which included PM and leader of opposition, for selection of election commissioners. The petitioners pleaded that Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023, has altered composition of selection panel comprising PM, LoP and CJI, as was mandated by SC judgment in Anoop Baranwal case, by replacing CJI with home minister. When CJI Khanna expressed his desire to recuse, some advocates said it was he who had passed the interim order. The CJI said “the situation was different then”, meaning he was not the CJI then.
