Former Supreme Court judge Justice Rajesh Bindal has been appointed as the chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), according to reports. The position had remained vacant since the conclusion of the tenure of former Supreme Court judge Justice Ashok Bhushan, who stepped down on July 4, 2026. Following his departure, the tribunal functioned under the leadership of judicial member Justice Yogesh Khanna, who served as the officiating chairperson starting from July 5. The Central government had extended Justice Khanna’s tenure in this interim role last month.
Justice Bindal brings a wealth of judicial experience to the role, having served at the Supreme Court for over three years before his retirement on April 15, 2026. Prior to his elevation to the top court in February 2023, he held the position of Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. His transition to the helm of the NCLAT marks a significant leadership change for the quasi-judicial body responsible for hearing appeals against the orders of the National Company Law Tribunal.
The appointment of the new chairperson arrives at a time when the operations and structural independence of the NCLAT have come under intense judicial review. The Supreme Court recently expressed significant reservations regarding the level of influence exerted by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs over such tribunals. During a hearing held last week, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarked that the ministry had “completely hijacked” these institutions, noting that such control impacts the institutional autonomy required for fair adjudication.
The Supreme Court bench, which included Chief Justice Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, emphasized that the presidents of the NCLT and NCLAT should possess full autonomy regarding appointments within their respective bodies. The court’s observations were made during the deliberation of a petition brought forward by contractual employees working within the tribunal system. The CJI highlighted that the ministry’s desire to maintain a “complete grip” on the tribunals was “most unfortunate” and suggested that the current oversight structure impinges on the fundamental functioning of the judiciary.
To address these systemic concerns, the Supreme Court suggested that, as an interim measure, a system of deputation should be adopted. This would ideally be followed by a transition to a phased, regular recruitment process conducted through established national bodies such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). The court's remarks underscored a broader push to insulate judicial and technical members from external administrative pressures, particularly from government ministries that may have interests in the proceedings overseen by the tribunals.
As Justice Bindal steps into this role, he will be tasked with overseeing the appellate tribunal amidst these calls for reform and greater institutional independence. The appointment is expected to provide stability to the leadership of the NCLAT as it navigates both its heavy caseload and the ongoing discussions regarding its administrative autonomy. Legal experts and observers remain focused on how the tribunal’s internal processes will evolve in response to the recent judicial directives from the Supreme Court, particularly regarding staffing and the balance of power between the ministry and the tribunal's leadership.
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