New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant recused himself from hearing a batch of petitions on Friday challenging a 2023 law citing conflict of interest that removed the CJI from a committee mandated to appoint the chief election commissioner to the poll panel.

The CJI said it would be appropriate for the case to be listed before a bench where no Judge was in line to become the Chief Justice. Else, I will be accused of conflict of interest, he said. The Court was hearing a batch of PILs challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act.

The December 2023 law came months after a SC order that a panel comprising the Prime Minister, the LoP, and the CJI to appoint election commissioners. The bench had said the system would remain in force till a law was enacted. Under the 2023 Act, however, the selection committee consists of the PM, a Union Minister nominated by the PM and the LoP in the Lok Sabha.