The Centre on Monday has officially announced the appointment of 5 advocates as judges of the Bombay High Court.
As per the notification, the President has appointed Nivedita Prakash Mehta, Prafulla Surendrakumar Khubalkar, Ashwin Damodar Bhobe, Rohit Wasudeo Joshi, and Advait Mahendra Sethna as Additional Judges for a term of 2 years, effective from the date they assume their respective offices.
The Supreme Court collegium, led by Chief Justice Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud and including Justices Sanjiv Khanna and B.R. Gavai, recommended these appointments on September 24.
The collegium noted that on January 19, 2024, the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, in consultation with his 2 senior-most colleagues, proposed the names of these advocates for elevation to the bench.
Before making its recommendation, the collegium carefully considered the opinions of the Chief Ministers and Governors of Maharashtra and Goa regarding the proposed appointments.
To assess the suitability of the candidates for their new roles, the collegium consulted colleagues familiar with the workings of the Bombay High Court.
The evaluation process involved a thorough review of the qualifications and merits of the candidates, as well as an examination of the materials presented for consideration.
The collegium also took into account observations made by the Department of Justice concerning the candidates’ suitability for judicial office.
These appointments come at a crucial time for the Bombay High Court, which handles a significant volume of cases across various legal areas. By bringing in new judges, the court aims to enhance its capacity to address pending cases and improve the efficiency of its judicial processes.
The elevation of these advocates is a reflection of their legal expertise and commitment to upholding justice. Their backgrounds and experiences will undoubtedly contribute to the High Court’s reputation as one of the leading judicial institutions in India.
As they prepare to take on their new responsibilities, the appointed judges are expected to uphold the highest standards of judicial conduct and contribute positively to the legal landscape of Maharashtra and Goa.
The legal community and the public will be closely watching how these new appointments impact the functioning of the Bombay High Court in the coming months.
