New Delhi, Jan. 17: The Union government has sent a file relating to the February 2016 transfer of a high court judge back to the Supreme Court collegium for reconsideration.

The file, reportedly sent back more than 10 days ago, is likely to be taken up by the new collegium headed by Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar, who assumed charge early this month.

Justice Valmiki Mehta of Delhi High Court had been transferred to Gujarat High Court by the collegium headed by former CJI T.S. Thakur. The government did not approve the transfer, though it was mandatory for it to do so.

The stalemate had prompted Justice Thakur to threaten the government in the open court that the collegium might withdraw work from the judge. Justice Mehta, known for his integrity, wants to remain in Delhi because of domestic problems.

According to informed sources, the new collegium is likely to take a decision on Justice Mehta's transfer over the weekend during the course of elevating six judges to the Supreme Court, which now has 25 judges against a sanctioned strength of 31.

The sources saidthe names shortlisted for elevation include Chief Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul (Madras High Court), K.M. Joseph (Uttarakhand), Mansoor Ahmad Mir (Himachal Pradesh), Manjula Chellur (Bombay), Deepak Gupta (Chhattisgarh), N.N.P. Vasanthakumar (Jammu and Kashmir) and R. Subhash Reddy (Gujarat), besides that of Justice Indira Banerjee of Delhi High Court.

The Supreme Court has only one woman judge now, Justice R. Banumathi. So there is a possibility of either Justice Chellur or Justice Banerjee making it to the top court.