The Collegium has initiated a significant restructuring of high-level by recommending four sitting High Court judges for elevation to the position of Chief Justice. The resolution, finalized during a meeting held on , aims to fill key leadership vacancies across the Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana, and Uttarakhand High Courts, ensuring the continuity and effective management of judicial functions in these jurisdictions.
Under the proposed plan, Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak, currently serving at the , has been recommended for appointment as the Chief Justice of the same court. Justice P. Sam Koshy, who is presently posted at the with Chhattisgarh as his parent High Court, is set to move to the national capital as the Chief Justice of the . Additionally, the Collegium has nominated Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty of the to head the , while Justice Sudhir Singh of the has been tapped to serve as the Chief Justice of the .
Strengthening Judicial Leadership and Continuity
The recommendations come at a time when several High Courts have been operating under following the recent elevation of their former heads to the . Earlier this month, the notified acting arrangements under to prevent . Specifically, Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre has been overseeing duties in Delhi, Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak in Gujarat, and Justice P. Sam Koshy in Telangana.
By formalizing these elevations, the Collegium seeks to replace these interim measures with permanent appointments. These recommendations are part of a broader resolution that also includes the expansion of the judiciary at the level, specifically clearing nine names for appointments at the Bombay and Madhya Pradesh High Courts. For the , the Collegium approved , a Judicial Member of the , and advocate . Meanwhile, seven advocates have been cleared for elevation to the , including , , , , , , and .
The Procedural Pathway to Appointment
While the Collegium has cleared these names, the appointments will only take legal effect once the Union Government issues formal notifications. The current recommendations reflect the Collegium's ongoing commitment to ensuring that the remain adequately staffed to handle increasing volumes. The selection process involves a meticulous review of , which remains the cornerstone of the judicial appointment system in India.
The resolution issued by the Collegium underscores the administrative necessity of these moves, particularly in the Delhi and Gujarat High Courts, which handle a substantial portion of the country's . The shift of judges across state lines is a standard practice aimed at maintaining the and fostering a .
The inclusion of several advocates in the appointments for the highlights the continued effort to balance the bench by bringing in experienced practitioners from the bar. As the process moves forward, the legal fraternity awaits the finalization of these appointments, which are expected to bolster the strength of the respective High Courts and expedite the disposal of pending matters. The government is now expected to process these recommendations in accordance with the , setting the stage for the swearing-in of the new Chief Justices in the coming weeks. The final outcome remains subject to the formal executive approval, which serves as the concluding step in this institutional exercise of .
judicial elevation - collegium recommendation
