Madhya Pradesh High Court Adds Ten Judges Amidst Backlog and Controversy

JABALPUR, July 30, 2025 – In a significant development aimed at alleviating a staggering case backlog, the Madhya Pradesh High Court today welcomed ten new judges, bolstering its judicial strength from 34 to 44. The appointments, however, are not without contention, as the elevation of one judge has reignited a debate on judicial accountability and the vetting process for high-ranking appointments.

The swearing-in ceremony, held in the historic Court Room No. 1 at the Jabalpur Bench, saw seven permanent and three additional judges take their oaths of office. The move is a critical response to the court's burgeoning caseload, which newly appointed Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva recently identified as a "major challenge," with over 400,000 cases pending.

The New Appointments: A Mix of Bar and Bench

The appointments, formally notified by the Central Government on July 28 following recommendations from the Supreme Court Collegium, draw from both the Bar and the subordinate judiciary. Seven have been appointed as permanent judges, while three will serve as additional judges for a two-year term.

Permanent Judges Sworn In:

* Justice Pushpendra Yadav

* Justice Anand Singh Bahrawat

* Justice Ajay Kumar Nirankari

* Justice Jai Kumar Pillai

* Justice Himanshu Joshi

* Justice Ramkumar Choubey

* Justice Rajesh Kumar Gupta

Additional Judges Sworn In:

* Justice Alok Awasthi

* Justice Ratnesh Chandra Singh Bisen

Justice Bhagwati Prasad Sharma

The sources for these appointments are evenly split, with five judges elevated from the Bar and five from the judicial services. Furthermore, another judicial officer, Pradeep Mittal, has been cleared for appointment as an additional judge and is scheduled to be sworn in on August 10, which will bring the court's working strength to 45.

Despite these additions, the High Court remains below its sanctioned strength of 53, with eight judicial posts still vacant.

A Warm Welcome and A Call to Action

Madhya Pradesh Advocate General (AG) Prashant Singh welcomed the new appointees on behalf of the Bar. He expressed the legal community's happiness over the induction of a large batch of judges, which is expected to expedite the process of justice delivery.

AG Singh gave special mention to Justice Pushpendra Yadav, who has been elevated from the Bar. He shared his personal pleasure at the appointment, having worked with Justice Yadav previously. Highlighting his extensive and varied experience, Singh noted Justice Yadav's service in key roles such as panel counsel, government advocate, Additional Advocate General, and most recently, as Deputy Solicitor General of India. "He enjoys the respect of both the Bar and the Bench," the AG remarked, signaling a positive start to his tenure.

The context for these appointments was set by the new Chief Justice, who, upon his own recent swearing-in, underscored the gravity of the case pendency issue. He called for a collaborative effort, stating that "the Bar and the Bench should join hands to reduce the pendency of cases." The arrival of ten new judges is the first major step in answering that call.

Controversy Clouds Elevation of Justice Gupta

While the ceremony was largely a moment of celebration, the elevation of Justice Rajesh Kumar Gupta has been embroiled in controversy. His appointment has revived past allegations of sexual harassment made by a former judicial officer. The accuser had reportedly resigned from her position after Justice Gupta's name was cleared for elevation to the High Court.

In a statement provided to the media prior to his appointment, Justice Gupta vehemently refuted the claims, maintaining his innocence and suggesting the allegations were timed to disrupt his career progression.

"These all people always start all these things, there have been never any complaints against me. I have lived my entire life like a saint. It has been 35 years I have been working and there have been no complaints against me," Justice Gupta stated.

He further added that his retirement was approaching and that he had received no official communication from the High Court regarding the matter, leaving the issue in a state of unresolved public debate.

Legal and Systemic Implications

The appointments and the associated controversy bring several critical issues to the forefront for the legal community:

1. Impact on Case Pendency: The primary and most immediate impact of increasing the bench strength to 44 (and soon 45) will be on the court's capacity to hear and dispose of cases. For a court grappling with a backlog of over 400,000 cases, this infusion of judicial manpower is not just welcome but essential. It will be crucial to monitor how this translates into a tangible reduction in pendency rates over the coming year.

2. The Collegium and Vetting Process: The controversy surrounding Justice Gupta's appointment raises pertinent questions about the due diligence and vetting mechanisms employed by the Supreme Court Collegium. While an allegation does not equal guilt, the elevation of a candidate with such a serious and public complaint against them inevitably invites scrutiny of the selection process. It underscores the ongoing debate about the need for greater transparency and a more robust framework for evaluating complaints against judicial officers being considered for elevation.

3. Judicial Accountability: The situation highlights the delicate balance between protecting a judicial officer's reputation from baseless allegations and ensuring a credible mechanism for addressing genuine grievances. The accuser's resignation following the appointment's approval sends a chilling message and fuels the discourse on the adequacy of in-house mechanisms for judicial accountability.

As the Madhya Pradesh High Court embarks on this new chapter, the legal fraternity will be watching closely. The success of this expansion will be measured not only by the number of cases disposed of but also by the court's ability to navigate the controversy and uphold public trust in the judiciary's integrity.