Supreme Court gets two new judges, bench back at full strength

The Supreme Court has received two new judges after President Droupadi Murmu approved the appointments of Patna High Court Chief Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi and Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe. Their appointment letters were issued within 48 hours of the Centre receiving the recommendation from the Supreme Court collegium.

With Justice Pancholi’s swearing-in, the number of judges in the Supreme Court with roots in the Gujarat High Court will rise to three. The appointments also mean the top court will now function at its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges.

The collegium had cleared the names by a 4:1 majority. Justice BV Nagarathna dissented, arguing that with two judges from Gujarat already in the Supreme Court, adding a third would disturb regional balance. She further cautioned that the move could have an “adverse impact” on the administration of justice and could raise questions about the credibility of the collegium system.

Justice Nagarathna’s objection was particularly directed at the circumstances surrounding Justice Pancholi’s transfer from the Gujarat High Court to Patna High Court as Chief Justice, and his subsequent elevation to the Supreme Court. She pointed out that Justice Pancholi would be in line to become the Chief Justice of India in August 2031, after Justice Joymalya Bagchi’s retirement.

The five-member collegium comprises Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice BV Nagarathna.

With the appointments of Justices Aradhe and Pancholi, the two vacant posts in the Supreme Court now stand filled, bringing the court back to its sanctioned strength.

- Ends

Tune In