The Central Government has officially announced the appointment of new Chief Justices for 8 High Courts across the country. This significant judicial development comes shortly after the Supreme Court Collegium recommended these names for elevation and transfer. The appointments mark a major reshuffle in the higher judiciary, affecting several states and union territories including Maharashtra, Jammu-Kashmir, Rajasthan, and others.
Official Announcement by Law Ministry
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared the details of these appointments through a post on the social media platform X. The notification confirms that the President of India, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, has appointed several senior judges to lead various High Courts. These decisions are aimed at filling vacancies and ensuring the smooth functioning of the judicial system across different regions.
Key Appointments in Major High Courts
According to the official announcement, Justice Valluri Kameshwar Rao, who was serving as a judge in the Delhi High Court, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. In another significant move, Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge from the Bombay High Court has been elevated to the position of Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. These appointments involve moving experienced judges to lead courts in different states, bringing fresh perspectives to the respective benches.
Changes in Bombay and Rajasthan High Courts
The Bombay High Court will see a new leadership with the appointment of Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi as its Chief Justice. Justice Tripathi was previously serving at the Allahabad High Court, while similarly, the Rajasthan High Court will now be headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, who has been transferred from the Chhattisgarh High Court. These transitions are part of the broader effort to balance judicial expertise across the nation.
Appointments in Punjab, Haryana, and Other States
Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, a judge at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the same High Court. Meanwhile, Justice Krishna Ram Mohapatra from the Odisha High Court has been assigned the role of Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court. In Madhya Pradesh, Justice Alpesh Yashwant Kogje from the Gujarat High Court will take over as the Chief Justice. Also, Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati of the Rajasthan High Court has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh. These 8 appointments represent a comprehensive update to the leadership of India's high-level judicial institutions.