The collegium deferred its decision to elevate Saurabh Kripal on 2 March. This was the fourth time his name was deferred ever since he was recommended by Delhi HC collegium in 2017. New Delhi: The Supreme Court collegium led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) S.A. Bobde is likely to write to the central government, asking it to send expeditiously additional information, which the previous collegium had requisitioned in April 2019, on advocate Saurabh Kripal so that a final decision can be taken soon on his elevation as a Delhi High Court judge, ThePrint has learnt. In a meeting on 2 March between CJI and the other two collegium members — justices N.V. Ramana and R.F. Nariman — deliberations took place over Kripal’s name, but the collegium deferred its decision until it received the inputs from the government. This was the fourth time Kripal’s name was deferred ever since his name was unanimously recommended by the Delhi High Court collegium in October 2017. Kripal, who is gay, had in an interview to ThePrint last September said he believes that his sexual orientation is probably the reason why the three-member Supreme Court collegium has not taken a decision on his elevation. It was the first time the advocate had spoken out on the issue. A source in the Supreme Court told ThePrint the collegium in its 2 March meeting had taken up 18 of the 23 proposals that were pending with it for long. These included some names that were sent back by the Centre for a reconsideration and those that were deferred by the collegium earlier for want of more information on the candidates. “Kripal’s name figured in the list of 18. But, in view of an earlier collegium opinion to seek more information about him, the (current) collegium felt it would be appropriate to wait for the government inputs. The CJI suggested writing a letter to the Centre, reminding it about the earlier communication the collegium had with it over Kripal’s name,” the source added. Another source said the collegium has unanimously also agreed not to wait or long. “If the government fails to respond within a reasonable period,, then the collegium will move on with its decision,” said the source.