The Kania Affair: A Collegium of Nehru, Patel, and Rajaji Debates the First Chief Justice

In last week’s Mint, I discuss an early controversy over judicial appointments. Shortly before Republic Day in 1950, Nehru had second thoughts about the first chief justice. But Patel pushed back strongly against Nehru’s demand that the judge resign. In his last hours as governor general, Rajaji convened a meeting to resolve the issue.