Supreme Court Collegium recommends appointment of two Advocates as Chhattisgarh High Court Judges

On July 30, 2024, the Supreme Court (SC) Collegium recommended the names of two advocates,  Shri Bibhu Datta Guru, and Shri Amitendra Kishore Prasad @ A.K. Prasad, for appointment as judges of the Chhattisgarh High Court. The resolution was passed by the Collegium constituting Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice BR Gavai, and Justice Sanjiv Khanna. While recommending their names, the SC Collegium said that for assessing the merit and suitability of the candidates for elevation to the High Court, it has scrutinized and evaluated the material placed on record. It added, We have also perused the observations made by the Department of Justice in the file as well as the complaints received against the candidates. 

Recommending Shri Bibhu Datta Guru’s name, the Collegium observed, “The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that there is nothing adverse against the integrity of the candidate. He has appeared in a number of cases as reflected in 54 reported judgments delivered by the High Court in those cases.” On the other hand, while recommending Shri Amitendra Kishore Prasad @ A.K. Prasad’s name for elevation as a judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court, the SC Collegium opined, “The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that the candidate enjoys a good personal and professional image and that nothing adverse as to his integrity has come to notice. The candidate has extensive practice which is reflected in 110 reported judgments delivered in the cases in which he has appeared.”

After considering these aspects, the Collegium said, “In view of the above, the Collegium resolves to recommend that S/Shri (i) Bibhu Datta Guru, and (ii) Amitendra Kishore Prasad @ A K Prasad, Advocates, be appointed as Judges of the High Court of Chhattisgarh. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice.”