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Justice P. Sam Koshy Appointed of under Article 223
President Steps In to Lead
The President of India has appointed Justice Puthichira Sam Koshy as the of the , effective from the date his predecessor Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh relinquishes charge following to the . The notification, issued by the under , fills a critical leadership vacuum at the Hyderabad-based High Court.
A Judicial Career Marked by Steady Rise
Justice Koshy's journey to the helm of the has been one of consistent progression. Appointed as an of the in , he was made a in before his transfer to Telangana in . His comes as the Collegium's recommendation to elevate Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh to the apex court—made on —received , triggering the need for an acting chief at the High Court.
Article 223: The Constitutional Mechanism for Continuity
empowers the President to appoint a judge of a High Court to act as Chief Justice when the incumbent is unable to perform duties due to absence, leave, or—as in this case— to a higher court. The provision ensures seamless judicial administration, preventing any institutional vacuum at the top of a High Court's hierarchy. Justice Koshy, who was already serving as a judge of the , now steps into the acting role until a permanent Chief Justice is appointed.
A Swift Transition
The transition carries symbolic weight. Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh did not hold court on the Monday the notification was issued, and the traditional was not convened. As the Centre notified his appointment to the , the outgoing Chief Justice departed for Delhi the same day, underscoring the speed at which at the highest levels can unfold. Justice Koshy will now steer the during this interim period, bringing his decade-plus judicial experience to the acting chief's chair.
