Centre Appoints Two Advocates to Allahabad High Court Bench, Easing Vacancy Pressure

NEW DELHI – The Central Government has formally notified the appointment of two seasoned advocates, Amitabh Kumar Rai and Rajiv Lochan Shukla, as Additional Judges of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. The move, announced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, marks a crucial step in addressing the significant judicial vacancies plaguing the country's largest high court.

The appointments follow a recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium on March 25, 2025. The Collegium, which was then presided over by Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna, had endorsed Rai and Shukla for elevation after a thorough assessment of their professional competence, integrity, and suitability for judicial office.

In a formal notification, the Ministry of Law and Justice stated, "In exercise of the power conferred by of the Constitution of India, the President of India, after consultation with Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint S/Shri (i) Amitabh Kumar Rai and (ii) Rajiv Lochan Shukla, Advocates as Judges of the Allahabad High Court."

Both appointees will initially serve a two-year term as Additional Judges. This probationary period is a standard constitutional practice, after which their performance and conduct will be reviewed for potential confirmation as permanent judges of the High Court.

The Challenge of Vacancies at India's Largest High Court

The appointments of Rai and Shukla are particularly significant given the operational challenges faced by the Allahabad High Court. With a sanctioned strength of 160 judges, it is the largest in the country, tasked with adjudicating a vast and diverse caseload from India's most populous state.

However, the court has been operating at a fraction of its capacity. Prior to these new appointments, it was functioning with only 85 judges, including Chief Justice Arun Bhansali. This staggering vacancy rate of nearly 47% places immense pressure on the existing bench and is a primary contributor to the high pendency of cases, which directly impacts litigants seeking timely justice. The induction of the new judges, along with the recent oath-taking of Advocate Arun Kumar, slightly bolsters the court's strength, but the gap remains substantial.

The persistent issue of judicial vacancies is not unique to Allahabad but is a systemic concern across the Indian judiciary. These appointments, therefore, represent a continued, albeit gradual, effort by the Collegium and the Central Government to bridge this gap and enhance the judiciary's capacity.

The Appointment Process: From Collegium to Notification

The elevation of judges to the High Courts in India is a multi-stage process governed by constitutional provisions and established conventions. The journey for Rai and Shukla began with the recommendation from the Supreme Court Collegium, the body responsible for judicial appointments and transfers.

The Collegium's recommendation on March 25, 2025, initiated the next phase, where the proposal was forwarded to the Union Government for consideration. The Ministry of Law and Justice, after conducting its due diligence and securing presidential assent, issued the final notification, thereby formalizing the appointments under the powers conferred by the Constitution.

This collaborative, and sometimes contentious, process between the judiciary and the executive is central to maintaining the balance of power and ensuring that appointments are made with appropriate checks and balances. The successful culmination of these recommendations underscores the ongoing dialogue between the two branches of government on strengthening the judicial infrastructure.

Anticipating Further Reinforcements

While the current appointments provide some relief, they are part of a much larger, ongoing effort to fortify the Allahabad High Court. In a significant recent development, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended a substantial list of 26 additional candidates for elevation to the same court. This new list, which is currently pending consideration with the Central Government, comprises a diverse mix of legal professionals: 14 Judicial Officers from the subordinate judiciary and 12 Advocates from the Bar. Notably, the list of recommended advocates includes four women, reflecting a push towards greater gender diversity on the bench.

Should these 26 recommendations be approved, it would mark one of the most substantial infusions of judicial strength to the Allahabad High Court in recent memory. Such an expansion would be critical in tackling the docket explosion and improving the overall efficiency of justice administration in Uttar Pradesh.

The legal community, litigants, and court observers are now closely watching the Central Government for its decision on this larger set of recommendations, which will be pivotal in determining the future operational capacity of the High Court. The appointments of Rai and Shukla are seen as a positive precursor, hopefully paving the way for the expeditious processing of the names still under consideration.