New Delhi, Nov. 12 -- The Union government is yet to clear four appointments of high court chief justices recommended by the Supreme Court collegium more than two weeks ago, leaving four high courts functioning under acting heads even as two more incumbent chief justices are set to retire in the coming fortnight.

The collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and comprising justices Vikram Nath and BV Nagarathna, recommended the appointments on October 26. However, the government has till date neither notified the appointments nor sent any communication to the Supreme Court administration on the recommendations.

The delay has left the Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana and Uttarakhand high courts without regular chief justices,...