New Delhi [India]: The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, has recommended the appointment of judges to various High Courts, including judicial officers and advocates. The decision was made during a meeting held on December 22, 2024.
Rajasthan High Court
The Collegium has proposed the elevation of three judicial officers as judges for the Rajasthan High Court:
- Chandra Shekhar Sharma
- Pramil Kumar Mathur
- Chandra Prakash Shrimali
The Rajasthan High Court, with a sanctioned strength of 50 judges, is currently operating with only 32 judges.
Uttarakhand High Court
The Collegium recommended the appointment of judicial officer Ashish Naithani as a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court.
- Sanctioned Strength: 11 judges
- Current Strength: 6 judges
Bombay High Court
Advocate Pravin Sheshrao Patil has been recommended for elevation as a judge of the Bombay High Court, which is currently functioning with 67 judges against its sanctioned strength of 94.
Allahabad High Court
Advocate Praveen Kumar Giri has been recommended as a judge of the Allahabad High Court. The court is currently functioning with 81 judges against a sanctioned strength of 160.
Recent Chief Justice Appointments
Earlier this week, the Central Government notified the appointment of new Chief Justices for two High Courts:
- Himachal Pradesh High Court: Justice GS Sandhawalia
- Uttarakhand High Court: Justice G Narendar
Justice G Narendar’s Background:
- Formerly a Judge of the Karnataka High Court (appointed on January 2, 2015).
- Transferred to the Andhra Pradesh High Court on October 30, 2023.
- Senior-most judge in his parent High Court and belongs to the Other Backward Class (OBC).
- Practiced law at the Karnataka High Court before his elevation.
These recommendations and appointments underscore the ongoing efforts to address vacancies and strengthen judicial capacity across India’s High Courts.