The Centre approves the appointment of CJI Bhushan Gavai’s nephew, Raj Damodar Wakode, among 14 advocates recommended as Bombay High Court judges, sparking attention on judicial elevations.
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NEW DELHI: The President of India, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, has officially appointed 14 distinguished advocates as Additional Judges of the Bombay High Court.
Union Law Minister confirms through his X post, stating,
“In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, the President of India, after consultation with Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint the following Advocates as Additional Judges of the Bombay High Court”
List of Newly Appointed Additional Judges
The following advocates have been appointed as Additional Judges of the Bombay High Court:
- Siddheshwar Sundarrao Thombre
- Mehroz Ashraf Khan Pathan
- Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale
- Nandesh Shankarrao Deshpande
- Amit Satyavan Jamsandekar
- Ashish Sahadev Chavan
- Smt. Vaishali Nimbajirao Patil-Jadhav
- Sandesh Dadasaheb Patil
- Abasaheb Dharmaji Shinde
- Shreeram Vinayak Shirsat
- Hiten Shamrao Venegavkar
- Farhan Parvez Dubash
- Rajnish Ratnakar Vyas
- Raj Damodar Wakode
These appointments will contribute crucially to handling the increasing caseload in the Bombay High Court, one of India’s most prominent high courts.
Additional Judges are appointed to help manage the backlog of cases and ensure efficient administration of justice. While their initial term is usually temporary, many Additional Judges are later confirmed as permanent judges based on their performance and judicial conduct.
With 14 advocates joining as Additional Judges, the Bombay High Court aims to expedite hearings and reduce pendency, ensuring faster access to justice for litigants across Maharashtra. This appointment also highlights the commitment of the Indian judiciary to uphold the rule of law and strengthen legal processes.
Background
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended 14 lawyers for elevation to the Bombay High Court, including Raj Damodar Wakode, who is related to CJI Bhushan R Gavai. Wakode, the son of the CJI’s cousin, is described by some as a nephew, though CJI Gavai’s brother calls him a “distant relative.”
Academic & Professional Background:
Wakode completed an MSc with a gold medal in 2001 and earned an LLB from Amravati University in 2004. He has nearly two decades of legal practice, handling appellate civil and criminal cases, writ petitions, and matters before district courts and tribunals. He has also served as standing counsel for multiple public institutions, including Maharashtra National Law University, the Union of India, and municipal corporations.
Collegium Process:
CJI Gavai recused himself from discussions on candidates related to him, yet Wakode’s name was recommended alongside two others with past professional ties to the CJI.
Precedent: Elevation of judges’ relatives is not uncommon in India, with examples like Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and Justice BV Nagarathna.
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