Supreme Court Gets Two New Judges, Including First-Ever from Manipur

Landmark Appointments Bring Diversity and Representation to the Apex Court

In a significant move, President Droupadi Murmu has cleared the appointments of Justice N. KotiswarSingh and Justice R.Mahadevan as the newest judges of the Supreme Court of India. This announcement, made by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, marks a historic moment as Justice Singh becomes the first-ever judge from the northeastern state of Manipur to be elevated to the country's highest court.

The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant , and Hrishikesh Roy , unanimously recommended the appointments of the two esteemed jurists. With these additions, the Supreme Court has now reached its sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the Chief Justice.

Justice N. KotiswarSingh : A Trailblazer from Manipur

Born on March 1, 1963, in Imphal, Manipur , Justice Singh is the son of the late Justice N. Ibotombi Singh , who served as the first Advocate General of Manipur . After completing his education at Kirori Mal College and the Campus Law Centre of Delhi University, Justice Singh began his legal career as an advocate in 1986.

Prior to his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Singh had a distinguished career in the judiciary. He served as the Advocate General of Manipur from 2007 to 2011 and was appointed as an additional judge of the Gauhati High Court in 2011, becoming a permanent judge in 2012. In 2013, he was transferred to the newly formed Manipur High Court and later returned to the Gauhati High Court in 2018. In 2023, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Justice Singh 's appointment to the Supreme Court is a significant milestone, as it marks the first time that Manipur , a state with over 50 years of statehood, will have representation in the country's highest court. The Collegium's resolution praised his judicial performance, administrative skills, integrity, and merit, highlighting the importance of this appointment in bringing diversity to the Supreme Court bench.

Justice R.Mahadevan : A Respected Jurist from Tamil Nadu

Hailing from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Justice R.Mahadevan is the second new addition to the Supreme Court. Born on June 10, 1963, Justice Mahadevan completed his law degree from Madras Law College and began his legal career as a lawyer in 1989. He specialized in civil, criminal, and writ cases, with a particular focus on indirect taxes, customs, and central excise matters.

Prior to his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Mahadevan served as a judge of the Madras High Court since 2013 and is currently the acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. The Collegium's resolution noted that Justice Mahadevan belongs to a backward community from the state of Tamil Nadu, and his appointment will contribute to the diversity of the Supreme Court bench.

With these two appointments, the Supreme Court has not only reached its full strength but has also taken a significant step towards greater representation and diversity on the bench. The elevation of Justice Singh and Justice Mahadevan is a testament to the commitment of the judiciary and the government to ensure that the highest court in the land reflects the diversity of the nation it serves.

As the new judges take their seats on the Supreme Court, legal experts and the public alike eagerly await the impact they will have on the jurisprudence and decision-making of the apex court, particularly in areas that are of critical importance to the people of Manipur , Tamil Nadu, and the nation as a whole.