SC COLLEGIUM RECOMMENDATIONS
Supreme Court Collegium recommends appointment of Judges for three High Courts
The Supreme Court Collegium comprising of Dr Justice DY Chandrachud, CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice BR Gavai, on 13-8-2024, recommended several names to be appointed as Judges for the High Courts of Allahabad, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
The Collegium considered that the proposal for elevation of Tejal Vashi be remitted to the Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court for re-considered with other eligible candidates in future.
Supreme Court Collegium recommends appointment of 3 Advocates as Judges of Delhi High Court
The Collegium comprising of Dr Justice DY Chandrachud, CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice BR Gavai, on 21-8-2024, recommended that- (i) Ajay Digpaul, (ii) Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, and (iii) Shwetasree Majumder, Advocates, be appointed as Judges of the High Court of Delhi. Their inter se seniority to be fixed as per the existing practice.
SC Collegium recommends appointment of Advocate Tejas Karia, as Judge of Delhi High Court
On 29-8-2024, the Supreme Court Collegium comprising of Dr Justice DY Chandrachud, CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice BR Gavai, recommended the appointment of Tejas Dhirenbhai Karia, Advocate, as a Judge of the High Court of Delhi. The Collegium noted that Advocate Karia is a domain expert in the law of arbitration.
SC Collegium reiterates recommendation to transfer Justice Shamim Ahmed to Madras High Court
The Supreme Court Collegium comprising of Dr Justice DY Chandrachud, CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice BR Gavai, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hrishikesh Roy on 30-8-2024, reiterate its recommendation dated 21-8-2024 to transfer Justice Shamim Ahmed to the Madras High Court.
SUPREME COURT JUDGES STRENGTH
While July 2024 saw the Supreme Court regain its sanctioned judicial strength back to 34 Judges; however, by the end of August, the number again fell to 33 as Justice Hima Kohli bid farewell to the Supreme Court.
HIGH COURT APPOINTMENTS
Meghalaya High Court- Acting Chief Justice
President appoints Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew as Acting Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court
The Ministry of Law and Justice on 14-8-2024, notified the appointment of Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew, as the Acting Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court. The President of India in exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution, made the appointment.
Allahabad High Court- [9]
Following Judges were appointed as Permanent Judges-
(i) Justice Syed Qamar Hasan Rizvi,
(ii) Justice Manish Kumar Nigam,
(iii) Justice Anish Kumar Gupta,
(iv) Justice Nand Prabha Shukla,
(v) Justice Kshitij Shailendra,
(vi) Justice Vinod Diwakar,
(vii) Justice Prashant Kumar,
(viii) Justice Manjive Shukla and
(ix) Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal
Andhra Pradesh High Court [2]
Following Judges were appointed as Permanent Judges-
(i) Justice Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa and
(ii) Justice Venuthurumalli Gopala Krishna Rao,
Calcutta High Court [9]
Following Additional Judges were appointed for fresh term
(i) Justice Biswaroop Chowdhury,
(ii) Justice Partha Sarathi Sen,
(iii) Justice Prasenjit Biswas,
(iv) Jusstice Uday Kumar,
(v) Justice Ajay Kumar Gupta,
(vi) Justice Supratim Bhattacharya,
(vii) Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee,
(viii) Justice Apurba Sinha Ray and
(ix) Justice Md. Shabbar Rashidi
Chhattisgarh High Court [2]
Following Advocates were appointed as Additional Judges
(i) Bibhu Datta Guru and
(ii) Amitendra Kishore Prasad
NOTABLE RETIREMENTS IN AUGUST
Supreme Court
Justice Hima Kohli became the first woman Chief Justice of the High Court for the State of Telangana and became the ninth woman to be elevated to the Supreme Court of India. Justice Hima Kohli’s contributions extend beyond gender issues. She has been an advocate for environmental awareness and the judiciary’s role in ecological preservation and promoted mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism and advises counsels to prioritize court appearances over seeking adjournments. Her approach to the law has been both knowledgeable and eclectic, reflecting her commitment to legal development in various spheres. Justice Kohli’s success can be attributed to her dedication, seniority, experience, diverse network, wide range of interests, and impactful public appearances.
Meghalaya High Court
Justice S. Vaidyanathan, Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, retires after a tenure of 6 months
Justice Vaidyanathan was elevated on 25-10-2013 as an Additional Judge of Madras High Court and subsequently on 14-04-2015 he was elevated as a Permanent Judge of that High Court. Justice S. Vaidyanathan also performed the duties of Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court with effect from 25-05-2023 after the retirement of Justice T. Raja, former Acting Chief Justice.
Justice Vaidyanathan’s competency, judicial acumen and considerable experience in dispensing justice in one of the largest High Courts in the country was recognised by the Supreme Court Collegium when they recommended his name as the 12th Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court. The Collegium’s recommendation was accepted by the Ministry of Law and Justice and the President of India on 02-02-2024 appointed Justice S. Vaidyanathan as Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya. He took charge of his new office on 11-02-2024.
