The Supreme Court Collegium has taken a significant step in strengthening the judiciary by recommending the elevation of five notable legal professionals to judgeships in four different High Courts across India. Among these recommendations, the elevation of Chaitali Chatterjee, the Registrar General of the Calcutta High Court, stands out as a noteworthy decision.
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Chaitali Chatterjee’s recommendation for elevation by the High Court Collegium on September 26, 2023, was met with unanimous and emphatic support from all three consultee Judges, who opined that she is suitable for being appointed as a High Court Judge. The Supreme Court Collegium, in its resolution dated January 4, acknowledged this consensus, stating,
“All the three consultee Judges have unanimously and emphatically opined that the candidate is suitable for being appointed as a High Court Judge.”
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The Collegium’s decision was informed by a thorough review of Chatterjee’s professional competence, which is reported to be good. Chatterjee, who joined the judicial service in 2009, has over 16 years of experience after enrolling at the Bar in 1993. Her career trajectory includes various positions as a judicial officer at sensitive postings in the State, culminating in her current role as the Registrar General of the High Court at Calcutta. The Judgment Evaluation Committee constituted by the Chief Justice of the High Court has rated the quality of judgments authored by her as very good, awarding 70 marks.
In addition to Chatterjee, the resolution also addressed another judicial officer named in the same proposal. However, this officer was not recommended by the High Court Collegium. The Supreme Court Collegium stated,
“Cogent reasons have been recorded by the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending her name. We are, therefore, in agreement with the High Court Collegium for overlooking that officer.”
This series of recommendations by the Supreme Court Collegium is a crucial development in the Indian legal landscape, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the quality and diversity of the judiciary. The elevation of Chaitali Chatterjee, in particular, is a testament to her distinguished career and the confidence placed in her abilities by the highest echelons of the judicial system. As these legal luminaries take on their new roles, they are set to contribute significantly to the jurisprudence and administration of justice in their respective High Courts.
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