Three Chief Justices from different High Courts have been recommended for elevation to the Supreme Court. This decision comes as the Supreme Court grapples with an overwhelming backlog of cases, necessitating the appointment of new judges to address the mounting workload. The recommendations were made by the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, and included Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant.
The three Chief Justices recommended for elevation are as follows:
1. Justice Satish Chandra Sharma
Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, with over 15 years of judicial experience, has made a significant mark in the legal field. He started his journey as a Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on January 18, 2008, and later assumed the position of Chief Justice of the High Court for the State of Telangana on October 11, 2021. Subsequently, he was transferred to the High Court of Delhi on June 28, 2022. His extensive experience includes handling constitutional, service, civil, and criminal matters, showcasing his legal acumen and competence.
2. Justice Augustine George Masih
Justice A G Masih, appointed as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 10, 2008, has risen through the ranks to become the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court on May 30, 2023. His diverse experience in the legal field encompasses constitutional, service, labor, and civil matters. Notably, as the first-ranked judge in the seniority of justices hailing from the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, he belongs to a minority community.
3. Justice Sandeep Mehta
Justice Sandeep Mehta, who started his judicial career as a judge of the Rajasthan High Court on May 30, 2011, has reached the position of Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, commencing from February 15, 2023. With more than 12 years of service as a High Court judge, Justice Mehta has gained significant adjudicatory experience, particularly in constitutional and criminal laws. He stands at the first position in the seniority of justices from the High Court of Rajasthan.
These recommendations for elevation to the Supreme Court have been made after careful evaluation of the merit, integrity, and competence of the eligible Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of the High Courts. The decision to recommend these justices is aimed at ensuring a full working judge-strength at the Supreme Court, leaving no vacancy at any point in time.
The Supreme Court Collegium had a robust deliberation and discussion on the names of chief justices and senior puisne judges of the High Courts eligible for appointment to the Supreme Court. They also assessed the judgments authored by those falling in the zone of consideration for elevation, ensuring a meaningful discussion on their judicial acumen. Additionally, the Centre for Research & Planning of the Supreme Court provided relevant background material to assist the Collegium in making their decisions.
In conclusion, these recommendations mark an important step towards strengthening the judiciary and addressing the backlog of cases in the Supreme Court. The appointment of these experienced and competent Chief Justices to the highest court in the land will contribute to the efficient administration of justice in India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is the elevation of Chief Justices to the Supreme Court important?
Elevating Chief Justices from High Courts to the Supreme Court is crucial for maintaining a full working judge-strength, ensuring efficient judicial proceedings and addressing the backlog of cases.
2. How are Chief Justices and senior judges selected for elevation to the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court Collegium carefully evaluates their merit, integrity, and competence, and assesses their judicial acumen by examining their judgments and relevant background material.
3. What is the significance of addressing the backlog of cases in the Supreme Court?
Reducing the backlog of cases is essential to expedite justice delivery and ensure timely resolution of legal disputes.
4. How do these recommendations impact the diversity of the Supreme Court?
The elevation of Justice Augustine George Masih, who belongs to a minority community, contributes to diversity within the Supreme Court.
5. What is the role of the Supreme Court Collegium in making these recommendations?
The Collegium, headed by the Chief Justice of India, plays a pivotal role in recommending the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court based on their qualifications and competence.
