On 11-07-2024, the Supreme Court Collegium comprising of Dr Justice DY Chandrachud, CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice BR Gavai recommended the appointment of Chief Justices for 7 High Courts. There are existing vacancies in the office of Chief Justices in the High Courts of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Madras and Kerala and vacancies which are likely to arise in the office of Chief Justices of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and Meghalaya.
The recommended names are as follows-
Delhi High Court:
Justice Manmohan, the Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, has been recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi.
Himachal Pradesh High Court
Justice Rajiv Shakdher has been recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh in the vacancy that will be caused by the transfer of Justice M.S Ramachandra Rao to the High Court of Jharkhand, consequent upon the retirement of Dr Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi.
Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court
Owing to the recommendation of elevating Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, current Chief Justice of the J&K and Ladakh High Court to the Supreme Court, on his appointment, there would be a vacancy in the office of Chief Justice.
Therefore, the Collegium recommended the name of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait as the next Chief Justice of the J&K and Ladakh HC.
Madhya Pradesh High Court
The Collegium recommended the name of Justice G.S Sandhawalia to be appointed as Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Kerala High Court
Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, recommended by the Collegium to be appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court of Kerala.
Meghalaya High Court
Justice Tashi Rabstan was recommended for appointment Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya on the retirement of current Chief Justice, Justice S Vaidyanathan, who is due to retire on 16-08-2024.
Justice Rabstan would be the first Chief Justice from the region of Ladakh, which has otherwise little or no representation among the Judges of the High Court and no representation at all so far in the office of Chief Justice.
Madras High Court
Justice K.R Shriram, being a Senior Judge of the High Court of Bombay with experience on the judicial and administrative side, the Collegium recommended his appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court of Madras.
