The Supreme Court Collegium has recently recommended the appointment of Additional Advocate General Biswadeep Bhattacharjee as a judge of the Meghalaya High Court.
Previously, the Collegium resolution expressed that Bhattacharjee’s elevation would be a valuable addition to the High Court.
Bhattacharjee has been serving as the Additional Advocate General in Meghalaya since 2018, as mentioned in the Collegium’s statement. The High Court Collegium recommended his name on August 12 last year, but there was a lack of input from constitutional functionaries in Meghalaya.
Furthermore, the High Court Collegium decided to forward the proposal to the Supreme Court. The Department of Justice forwarded the proposal under Para 14 of the Memorandum of Procedure, which assumes that if the comments of the Governor, based on the advice of the Chief Minister, are not received within six weeks, it is presumed that the constitutional authorities have no additional input to provide.
The consultation was sought from a Supreme Court judge familiar with the affairs of the Meghalaya High Court to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. The Collegium noted Bhattacharjee’s good standing at the Bar, broad legal knowledge, and past role as Amicus Curiae in two criminal appeals. No adverse reports were found regarding his personal integrity.
The Supreme Court Collegium resolved to recommend Biswadeep Bhattacharjee’s appointment as a judge of the Meghalaya High Court.
Currently, the High Court operates with three judges, while the sanctioned strength is four. Bhattacharjee’s elevation will help fill this vacancy and ensure the effective functioning of the High Court.
