SC Collegium recommends the appointment of new Chief Justices for five High Courts, Rajasthan, Gauhati, Jharkhand, Allahabad, and Punjab & Haryana
On December 27, 2023, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended the names of five judges to be elevated as the Chief Justices of five High Courts (HCs), Rajasthan HC, Gauhati HC, Jharkhand HC, Allahabad HC, and Punjab & Haryana HC, to the Union Government.
Rajasthan HC Judge Justice Arun Bhansali is recommended to be elevated as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad HC. While recommending his name, the SC Collegium said, “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. He has acquired extensive experience in dispensing justice in the Rajasthan High Court. He is considered to be a competent judge with sound legal acumen and, would therefore be an eminently suitable choice to be elevated as Chief Justice of the largest High Court in the country.”
Rajasthan HC Judge Justice Vijay Bishnoi is recommended to be elevated as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati HC. While recommending his name, the SC Collegium said, “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 652 reported judgments. He has acquired extensive experience in dispensing justice in the Rajasthan High Court. He has maintained a high order of professional ethics at the Bar and the Bench. His conduct and integrity are beyond reproach. While recommending his name, the Collegium has taken into consideration the fact that at present the Rajasthan High Court which is the parent High Court of Mr Justice Bishnoi is not represented among the Chief Justices of the High Courts.”
Rajasthan HC Judge Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava is recommended to be elevated as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan HC. While recommending his name, the SC Collegium said, “As regards his contribution to the judiciary by way of disposal of cases, during his tenure of over 14 years as a Judge of High Court, he has authored more than 505 reported judgments. He has acquired considerable experience of dispensing justice in two High Courts. While considering his name, the Collegium has also taken into consideration the fact that the High Court of Chhattisgarh which is his parent High Court does not have any representation among the Chief Justices of the High Courts.”
Orissa HC Judge Justice BR Sarangi is recommended to be elevated as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand HC. While recommending his name, the SC Collegium said, “As regards his contribution to the judiciary by way of disposal of cases, during his tenure of more than 10 years as a Judge of High Court, he has authored more than 1056 reported judgments. He has acquired considerable experience in dispensing justice in the High Court. While considering his name, the Collegium has taken into consideration the fact that after the retirement of Mr. Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, there would be no representation of the High Court of Orissa among the Chief Justices of the High Courts.”
Madhya Pradesh HC Judge Justice Sheel Nagu is recommended to be elevated as the Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana HC. While recommending his name, the SC Collegium said, “As regards his contribution to the judiciary by way of disposal of cases, during his tenure of over 12 years as a Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, he has authored more than 499 reported judgments. He has acquired extensive experience in dispensing justice at the High Court. He is the seniormost puisne Judge in his parent High Court. He is considered to be a competent judge and possesses a high level of integrity and conduct required of a person holding high judicial office. While recommending his name, the Collegium is conscious of the fact that the High Court of Madhya Pradesh is already represented by a Chief Justice among the Chief Justices of the High Courts.”
