The Supreme Court Collegium, under the stewardship of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, has put forth the names of three eminent High Court Chief Justices for elevation to the Supreme Court of India. This recommendation, if accepted by the Centre, will fill the current vacancies and bring the Supreme Court to its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges.
The distinguished trio recommended for elevation includes
- Delhi High Court Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma
- Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Augustine George Masih
- Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta
The collegium, which also comprises justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, and Surya Kant, has meticulously evaluated the candidates based on their merit, integrity, and competence.
The resolution from the collegium stated,
“In view of the ever-mounting pendency of cases, the workload of judges has increased considerably. It has become necessary to ensure that the court has full working judge-strength leaving no vacancy at any point of time.”
Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, with over 15 years of service as a high court judge and more than two years as a chief justice, is lauded for his legal acumen, reflected in his judgments across various branches of law. Prior to his elevation, he practiced in constitutional, service, civil, and criminal matters, and is currently second in the combined all-India seniority of High Court Judges.
Justice Augustine George Masih, with a tenure beginning as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2008 and later serving as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, brings extensive experience in constitutional, service, labor, and civil matters. Notably, Justice Masih, who stands at serial number seven in all-India seniority, also represents the minority community.
Justice Sandeep Mehta, appointed as a judge of the Rajasthan High Court in 2011 and currently the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, is recognized for his adjudicatory experience and stands at serial number 23 in all-India seniority. His judgments in constitutional and criminal law are a testament to his expertise.
The collegium’s decision also takes into account the need for diversity, representation of underrepresented High Courts, and inclusion of marginalized communities. The elevation of these justices is poised to enhance the Supreme Court with their collective knowledge and experience, ensuring a robust and diverse judicial bench.