Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu, a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, passed away at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram at 59. Born in Haryana, he was a first-generation lawyer who rose from a farming family background through dedicated legal practice and service.
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court declared the 2011 appointment of four civil judges illegal due to a recruitment error, holding, “We have no hesitation to say that the appointment of the petitioners was not only irregular but illegal.”
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant urged creation of a national framework to utilise retired judges in ADR and legal awareness, stressing their engagement must be institutional, while noting, “The robe may be retired, the judge never is.”
Justice BV Nagarathna said during the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture at CNLU Patna that a three-year Bar practice is essential, rejecting claims it deters women, as real courtroom experience builds the maturity and skills needed for judges.
Today, On 13th March, The Supreme Court of India reaffirmed the mandatory three-year practice rule, with the CJI stressing that the condition must remain while its implementation needs refinement. He also questioned passive practice and suggested free legal aid work as experience.
Today, On 26th February, The Supreme Court raised concerns over the three-year practice requirement for entry-level judicial service, especially its impact on women aspirants. The Chief Justice said, “No doubt practice is important, but we also have to see the impact on young talent.”
The Allahabad High Court criticised CJM for taking cognizance of a theft chargesheet after the limitation period and then defending it by saying such scrutiny is not usually done in Uttar Pradesh, calling her approach “taking her judicial service very lightly.”
The Kerala High Court held a full court reference to honour retiring Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, concluding his three-decade judicial career and tenure as the Court’s 39th Chief Justice. In his farewell, Justice Jamdar recalled his Kerala experience as professionally fulfilling and personally enriching.
Today, On 4th November, The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on framing uniform, nationwide seniority rules for higher judicial services to address disparities in career progression among judges across India, after hearing extensive arguments on reservation, promotion policies, and the ROTA system.
Today, On 29th October, During the All India Judges Association Case hearing, The Supreme Court clarified that it has no intention of curbing the discretion of High Courts in recommending names for appointments but questioned why each High Court is following a different policy in the process.
