The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai, has recently passed resolutions for the appointment of five additional judges from the Calcutta High Court as permanent judges. This decision marks a significant step in strengthening the judicial system in India, particularly in the Calcutta High Court.
The judges recommended for permanent appointment are Justice Ananya Bandyopadhyay, Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury, and three others, Justice Rai Chattopadhyay, Justice Shampa Dutt (Paul) and Justice Lapita Banerji whose names were included in the resolution. Notably, while four of these judges will continue their tenure in the Calcutta High Court, Justice Lapita Banerji has been recommended for transfer to the Punjab & Haryana High Court.
This decision follows a previous deferral by the Collegium in July 2023, where proposals from the Calcutta High Court Collegium regarding the permanent appointment of six additional judges were put on hold. The recent resolutions, therefore, come as a crucial development in these appointments.
Among the six judges, the proposal for permanent appointment of Justice Subhendu Samanta was also deferred. The proposal for his permanent appointment again has not been accepted.
“Shri Justice Subhendu Samanta be appointed as an Additional Judge for a fresh term of one year with effect from 18 May 2024,” the Collegium said in the latest resolution.
The appointment of additional judges as permanent judges is a routine but vital process in the Indian judiciary. It not only provides stability to the respective high courts but also ensures the continuity and efficiency of judicial proceedings. The Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendations are based on a thorough evaluation of the judges’ performances and contributions during their tenure as additional judges.
The transfer of Justice Lapita Banerji to the Punjab & Haryana High Court as part of these recommendations highlights the Collegium’s approach to optimizing judicial efficiency and expertise across different high courts in the country.
These appointments and transfers are expected to bring a fresh perspective and reinforce the judicial strength of the Calcutta High Court and the Punjab & Haryana High Court, contributing to the overall enhancement of the Indian judicial system.
[ Read Collegium Resolution-1 ]
[ Read Collegium Resolution-2 ]