SC Collegium recommends the appointment of three judicial officers and two Advocates for appointment as judges of 4 High Courts
The Supreme Court (SC) Collegium, on January 04, 2024, issued different resolutions highlighting names recommended for appointment as judges of 4 High Courts. Among the recommended names there are three judicial officers and two Advocates. The resolutions were passed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and Justice B.R. Gavai.
SC Collegium recommended the name of Judicial Officer Arvind Kumar Verma for appointment as judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court. While recommending the name, the Collegium considered the report of the Judgment Assessment Committee which rated the quality of judgments authored by him as ‘Very Good’. The resolution reads, “Bearing in mind the views of the consultee-judge on the suitability of the candidate, the report of the Judgment Assessment Committee, and the assessment made by the Government of India in the file, the Collegium is of the considered view that the officer is suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court of Chhattisgarh.” Chhattisgarh HC has a sanctioned strength of 22 judges.
Registrar General Chitali Chatterjee was recommended by the SC Collegium for appointment as judge of the Calcutta High Court. In the resolution, the Collegium pointed out “She has held various positions as judicial officer at sensitive postings in the State and is presently posted as Registrar General of the High Court at Calcutta.” The Judgment Assessment Committee rated the quality of judgments authored by her as ‘Very Good’ by awarding 70 marks. Calcutta HC has a sanctioned strength of 72 judges.
Judicial Officer Yarenjungla Longkumer and Advocate Shamima Jahan were recommended by the SC Collegium for appointment as judges of the Gauhati High Court. The Collegium’s resolution reads, “Having regard…and the opinion of our consultee-colleagues and on an overall consideration of the recommendation made by the Collegium of the High Court, the Collegium is of the considered view that (i) Ms Shamima Jahan, Advocate and (ii) Ms Yarenjungla Longkumer, Judicial Officer, are suitable for appointment as Judges of the Gauhati High Court.” Gauhati HC has a sanctioned strength of 30 judges.
Advocate Rohit Kapoor was recommended by the SC Collegium for appointment as judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court. In the resolution, the Collegium considered the views of the Chief Minister and the Governor for the States of Punjab and Haryana regarding the recommendations. They said, “The enquiries made by us with reliable sources to ascertain the suitability of the candidate reveal that Shri Rohit Kapoor is a competent advocate suitable for elevation to the High Court.” The SC Collegium further said that Advocate Kapoor is fit and suitable for appointment as judge of the P&H HC. Along with this, the resolution issued also highlighted that “The Collegium further resolves to recommend that two Advocates namely S/Shri (i) Harmeet Singh Grewal and (ii) Deepinder Singh Nalwa, whose names have been approved by this Collegium earlier in point of time i.e. on 17 October 2023, be given precedence in the matter of appointment over Shri Rohit Kapoor. The inter se seniority of all the three Advocates be fixed as per the existing practice.” Punjab & Haryana HC has a sanctioned strength of 85 judges.
