Key Points:
- High-Level Recommendations: The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, has proposed seven judges for permanent positions in Punjab, Karnataka, and Delhi High Courts.
- Panel Composition: The recommendations were made by a panel chaired by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, with Justices BR Gavai and Suryakant in attendance.
- Andhra Pradesh High Court Appointments: The Collegium has also suggested the appointment of three lawyers as judges of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, pending approval.
- Judicial Stabilization: The decisions aim to strengthen the judiciary by filling key vacancies and upgrading meritorious additional judges to permanent roles.
- Recent Collegium Meeting: The proposals were part of resolutions passed during the December 12 meeting to address judicial requirements across various High Courts.
New Delhi: In a significant move to stabilize and enhance judicial functioning, the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, has recommended seven additional judges for permanent appointments across the Punjab, Karnataka, and Delhi High Courts. Additionally, three lawyers have been proposed for appointment as judges in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
Key Appointments and High Courts Involved
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Justice Harpreet Singh Brar has been approved for elevation as a permanent judge.
- Karnataka High Court
- The Collegium has recommended Justice Ramachandra Dattatreya Huddar, Justice Venkatesh Naik T, and Justice Vijaykumar A Patil as permanent judges.
- Delhi High Court
- Justice Shalinder Kaur and Justice Ravinder Dudeja are set to be appointed as permanent judges.
- Andhra Pradesh High Court
- Three lawyers, Maheshwar Rao Kuncham, Thoota Chandra Dhan Sekar, and Challa Gunaranjan, have been recommended for elevation. Their seniority will follow the existing norms upon confirmation.
Collegium’s Strategic Meeting on December 12
The recommendations were part of the resolutions adopted during the Collegium’s meeting on December 12, 2024. The discussions, chaired by Justice Sanjiv Khanna and attended by Justices BR Gavai and Suryakant, underscored the need to bolster judicial efficiency by promoting deserving additional judges to permanent posts.
These decisions are aimed at addressing judicial vacancies and ensuring smoother operations in the High Courts, where timely appointments are critical for clearing backlogs and maintaining judicial integrity.
Strengthening the Judiciary
The Collegium’s recommendations reflect a larger strategy to fortify India’s judicial framework. The proposal for three lawyers to join the Andhra Pradesh High Court also signifies a commitment to enhancing representation and ensuring timely justice delivery in all states.
As these recommendations await approval, they mark another step in the judiciary’s efforts to address its challenges, stabilize court functioning, and strengthen its service to the public.
