SC Reiterates Saurabh Kirpal's Appointment as Judge, Rejects Govt Objections About Sexuality

Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Thursday reiterated its November 11, 2021 recommendation on openly gay senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal as Delhi High Court judge while rejecting the union government's objections about his sexual orientation and Swiss partner.

The Collegium comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and K M Joseph said, "The fact that Kirpal has been open about his orientation is a matter which goes to his credit. As a prospective candidate for judgeship, he has not been surreptitious about his orientation."

Kirpal’s recommendation was made unanimously by the Delhi high court collegium on October 13, 2017 and was approved by the Supreme Court collegium on November 11, 2021. The recommendation was referred back to the collegium on November 25 2022 for reconsideration by the law ministry.