Judicial Appointments and Sensitization Efforts Mark Busy Period for Indian Judiciary

New Delhi – India's judiciary is currently navigating a dynamic period marked by a flurry of high-level appointments aimed at addressing persistent vacancies, coupled with significant institutional efforts to foster gender sensitization among judicial officers. Simultaneously, a critical legal challenge in the Delhi High Court has put the government's fiscal policies for persons with disabilities under intense scrutiny, creating a multi-faceted legal landscape for practitioners and observers.

Allahabad High Court Tackles Vacancies with New Appointments

The Central Government, acting on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium, has notified the appointment of Judicial Officer Vinai Kumar Dwivedi as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court. The notification, issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice following the President's approval, was announced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Collegium had put forward Mr. Dwivedi's name in its meeting on October 6, 2025.

This appointment is the latest in a series of moves to augment the bench strength of one of the country's largest high courts. It follows closely on the heels of the government clearing the appointment of 24 other judges to the same court, a group comprising 10 advocates and 14 judicial officers who took their oaths on September 27, 2025.

Despite these recent inductions, the Allahabad High Court continues to operate significantly below its sanctioned capacity. With a sanctioned strength of 160 judges, the court was functioning with only 105 judges prior to these appointments. The recent additions, including Mr. Dwivedi's, represent a crucial step but underscore the vast gap that remains. The persistent vacancies have long been a point of concern, impacting case disposal rates and access to justice in India's most populous state. Legal experts suggest that while these appointments are welcome, a more systemic and expedited process is required to ensure the judiciary can function at its optimal strength.

Fostering a More Inclusive Judiciary: The Allahabad High Court's Gender Sensitization Workshop

While the institution grapples with administrative challenges, the Allahabad High Court is also taking proactive steps to address deep-seated societal issues within its own ranks. On October 11th and 12th, 2025, the High Court's Committee for Sensitization of Family Court Matters organized a two-day workshop on "Gender Sensitization" for judicial officers at the Judicial Training & Research Institute in Lucknow.

The workshop aimed to equip judicial officers with the tools to recognize and dismantle their own inherent biases and gender stereotypes. Inaugurating the event, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jaspreet Singh emphasized the judiciary's unique role, stating, "When judges adjudicate matters, it is not mere disposal of cases, rather dispensation of justice, a divine function." He powerfully articulated the central theme of the workshop: the necessity "to learn to unlearn so that prejudices, including those about gender, can be left behind." Citing the landmark case of Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) , Justice Singh highlighted the evolving discourse on gender identity and the judiciary's responsibility to keep pace with societal progress.

The valedictory address was delivered by Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Sangeeta Chandra, Chairperson of the Committee. She drew attention to the Supreme Court's judgment in Aparna Bhat v. State of Madhya Pradesh (2021) , which laid down firm guidelines against gender stereotyping in judicial orders. Quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's powerful words, "I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved," Justice Chandra stressed that the ultimate goal is a society where every individual is treated with dignity.

The sessions, led by academics from the University of Lucknow, were designed to be interactive, using media examples and case law discussions to illustrate how systemic inequalities and social biases are ingrained in society. The workshop signals a growing recognition within the judiciary that dispensing impartial justice requires not just legal acumen, but also a conscious and continuous effort to confront and overcome personal and societal prejudices.

Delhi High Court Questions Centre on Scrapping GST Concessions for Differently-Abled

In a significant development with far-reaching implications, the Delhi High Court has sternly questioned the Central Government's rationale for effectively eliminating GST concessions on car purchases for persons with disabilities. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela took strong exception to an October 8, 2025, notification from the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

The petition, filed by the All India Confederation of the Blind (AICB), challenges the new policy. Previously, vehicles for persons with specific disabilities attracted a concessional GST rate of 18%, while the standard rate was 28%. The new notification reduces the standard rate to 18% for all, thereby scrapping the special benefit previously accorded to the differently-abled community.

The Bench's observations were pointed and unequivocal. "What is this you have done? You have taken away the benefit already given to them," the Court remarked. Justice Gedela pressed the Centre’s counsel for a justification: "There has to be a rationale for GST. What is this you have done? ... What have you done for the vulnerable?"

Advocate Rahul Bajaj, representing the petitioner, argued that this uniform application of the tax rate negates the principle of "positive discrimination" intended to create a level playing field for marginalized communities. The Chief Justice echoed this sentiment, questioning why a proportional decrease for the differently-abled was not considered. "It is a kind of positive discrimination. Why could you not reduce the GST for them as well?" he asked.

The Court has directed the Centre's counsel to seek instructions and provide a clear rationale for why a corresponding decrease in the GST rate for orthopedically and visually disabled persons cannot be implemented. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on December 17, and its outcome will be closely watched by disability rights advocates and tax law practitioners alike, as it touches upon the core principles of equitable taxation and the state's constitutional obligations towards its most vulnerable citizens.