The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an objection raised against the co-option of former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Jaishree Thakur as a member of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana.

The objection was raised on the ground that Justice Thakur had earlier served as the Returning Officer for the State Bar Council elections and that election petitions arising from the electoral process are pending before an Election Tribunal headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Hima Kohli.

The issue arose before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana which is overseeing the constitution of Bar Councils after the recently held elections.

Counsel opposing Justice Thakur's co-option submitted that since she had supervised the election process as Returning Officer, her subsequent appointment to the Bar Council could give rise to concerns in view of the pending election disputes.

The CJI, however, did not find merit in the objection and strongly defended Justice Thakur's nomination.

"What is the problem with you people?" the CJI asked.

Describing Justice Thakur as "one of the finest judges" and "one of the strongest judges", CJI Surya Kant observed that her nomination for Punjab had been well received.

"They are so happy that she is there. People are afraid of her," the CJI remarked.

Justice Thakur's co-option was made pursuant to the Supreme Court's directions under which two women members were to be co-opted by the High Court Chief Justices to each State Bar Council from among former women High Court judges or senior women advocates of fair standing.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice had nominated Justice Thakur along with Senior Advocate Gursharan Kaur Mann as the two women members of the Bar Council.