The elevation of Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice KM Joseph as a Supreme Court judge has been cleared by the centre, which had objected to the move and sent back his file to a panel of senior judges, reports NDTV.

The law ministry has started the process of appointing Justice Joseph as a Supreme Court judge, along with Madras High Court Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Orissa High Court Chief Justice Vineer Saran, NDTV reported.

The government's questioning of Justice Joseph's elevation — citing inadequate representation in the top court from other states — had set the stage for its face-off with the country's highest court.

The Supreme Court collegium had reiterated its choice of Justice Joseph for a second time. The court's decision, made last month before one of its members, Justice Jasti Chelameshwar, retired, has been conveyed to the government, NDTV reported.