New Delhi, July 16 (H.S.): A new review petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court, challenging its May 20 decision that reinstated the requirement of three years of legal experience to qualify as a judge.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves filed this petition, arguing that the Court overlooked five law commission reports that unanimously rejected this requirement. The petition also cites the Second Judicial Pay Commission's 2022 report, which stressed the necessity of consulting all stakeholders before imposing such criteria.

Prior to this, lawyer Chandrasen Yadav had requested the Supreme Court reconsider its May 20 ruling. That ruling, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, mandated three years of legal experience from a lawyer's enrollment date, but noted that it wouldn't affect high courts already in the appointment process before May 20.

The requirement had initially existed but was abolished in 2002, allowing new law graduates to apply for judicial positions. During hearings, amicus curiae Siddharth Bhatnagar questioned the eligibility of new graduates, with most high courts supporting the reinstated experience requirement, except for the High Courts of Sikkim and Chhattisgarh. The Supreme Court had reserved its decision on the issue on January 28.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar