A Move to Strengthen Judicial Leadership
The Supreme Court Collegium, under the leadership of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and B R Gavai, has made pivotal recommendations for appointing Chief Justices to five High Courts in India. These recommendations are a significant step in bolstering the judicial leadership across the nation.
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1. Justice Arun Bhansali for Allahabad High Court: The Collegium has proposed Justice Arun Bhansali, a judge from the Rajasthan High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. The Collegium’s statement lauded his judicial contributions:
“As regards his contribution to the judiciary by way of disposal of cases, during his tenure of nearly eleven years as a Judge of the High Court, he has authored more than 1230 reported judgments.”
His extensive experience in the Rajasthan High Court makes him a suitable candidate for the largest High Court in the country.
2. Justice Vijay Bishnoi for Gauhati High Court: Justice Vijay Bishnoi, also from the Rajasthan High Court, is recommended for the position of Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court. The Collegium noted his impressive judicial record:
“During his tenure of nearly eleven years as a Judge of High Court, he has authored 652 reported judgments.”
His professional ethics and integrity were emphasized, with the Collegium observing that the Rajasthan High Court, his parent High Court, is currently not represented among the Chief Justices of the High Courts.
3. Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava for Rajasthan High Court: For the role of Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, the Collegium has chosen its acting Chief Justice, Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava. The Collegium’s statement highlighted his judicial experience:
“During his tenure of over 14 years as a Judge of High Court, he has authored more than 505 reported judgments.”
His experience in two High Courts and the fact that his parent High Court, Chhattisgarh, lacks representation among the Chief Justices were key considerations.
4.Justice BR Sarangi for Jharkhand High Court: Justice BR Sarangi, the acting Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, has been selected to lead the Jharkhand High Court. The Collegium recognized his judicial tenure:
“During his tenure of more than 10 years as a Judge of High Court, he has authored more than 1056 reported judgments.”
His appointment is significant, especially after the retirement of Mr. Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, ensuring representation of the Orissa High Court among the Chief Justices.
5.Justice Sheel Nagu for Punjab and Haryana High Court: Justice Sheel Nagu from the Madhya Pradesh High Court is proposed as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Collegium stated:
“During his tenure of over 12 years as a Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, he has authored more than 499 reported judgments.”
His seniority and integrity were key factors in the recommendation, despite the Madhya Pradesh High Court already being represented by a Chief Justice among the High Courts.
These recommendations come at a crucial time when many High Courts are grappling with a shortage of judges and a backlog of cases. The proposed appointments aim to strengthen the judicial system, ensuring efficient and effective dispensation of justice. The Supreme Court Collegium’s decisions reflect a strategic approach to enhancing judicial leadership and addressing the challenges faced by the High Courts in India.
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