India

Supreme Court Justice Rajesh Bindal Named Chair of NCLAT

By HT News Desk

Former Supreme Court Justice Rajesh Bindal was appointed chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Thursday, according to Bar & Bench. Bindal retired from the Supreme Court on April 15 this year after serving more than three years on the bench. His appointment follows the retirement of former Supreme Court judge Justice Ashok Bhushan, who completed his tenure as NCLAT chairperson on July 4, 2026. After Bhushan’s departure, Justice Yogesh Khanna, a judicial member of the appellate tribunal, served as officiating chairperson from July 5, and the Central government extended Khanna’s tenure in October.

Before joining the Supreme Court in February 2023, Bindal was Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.

The appointment comes amid recent scrutiny by the Supreme Court of NCLAT’s functioning. Last week, the top court raised concerns over the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ control of the tribunals. Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked that the ministry had “completely hijacked” the institutions. A bench comprising CJI Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana called for granting the presidents of the NCLT and NCLAT full autonomy over appointments. The bench suggested an interim deputation, followed by phased regular recruitment through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or Staff Selection Commission (SSC). In a hearing of a petition filed by contractual employees working in the NCLT and NCLAT, CJI Kant stated, “I know how contractors play their hands. They don’t care about judicial/technical members. Complete autonomy must be with presidents. They can take UPSC/SSC. The tribunal has been completely hijacked by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. That is impinging on the autonomy of the institution. That is the problem. The ministry wants to have complete grip; that is most unfortunate.”