India, Aug. 31 -- Supreme Court judge Ujjal Bhuyan on Sunday batted in favour of appointing 'distinguished jurists' as judges of the top court, stating that such an inclusion would diversify the bench with talent and let scholars of repute contribute to the decision-making process.

Justice Bhuyan said it was regrettable that despite Article 124 (3)(c) of the Constitution enabling such an appointment, no person other than high court judges or practising lawyers has reached the Supreme Court in the last 76 years.

He remarked that either the Centre and Collegium found that there was "not enough depth" in the Indian academia to be "seriously considered" for judgeship, or both authorities have not "seriously explored this provision thus far"...