Justice Manmohan, formerly the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, officially became a Supreme Court judge on Thursday.
The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna in a formal ceremony, marking another step in his distinguished legal career.
With Justice Manmohan’s appointment, the Supreme Court now has 32 judges, slightly below its sanctioned strength of 34. His elevation comes as part of a recent recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium, which proposed his name on November 28, 2024.
The Collegium, chaired by CJI Khanna and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant, Hrishikesh Roy, and Abhay S. Oka, emphasized the importance of representation from the Delhi High Court.
Their resolution noted that the Supreme Court bench currently has only one member from the Delhi High Court, making Justice Manmohan’s inclusion a well-considered decision.
Legal Career and Academic Excellence
Born in Delhi on December 17, 1962, Justice Manmohan’s academic and professional journey reflects his commitment to the legal field. He completed his schooling at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, and graduated with a degree in History from Hindu College, University of Delhi.
He pursued law at the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi, earning his LL.B. in 1987.
Soon after, he began practicing law, focusing on diverse areas such as civil, criminal, constitutional, taxation, arbitration, trademarks, and service litigation. His legal acumen earned him the designation of senior advocate by the Delhi High Court in January 2003.
Justice Manmohan also represented the Government of India as a senior panel advocate in both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. His transition to the judiciary came in 2008 when he was appointed an additional judge of the Delhi High Court. He was later confirmed as a permanent judge in December 2009.
Significance of His Appointment
Justice Manmohan’s appointment to the Supreme Court brings a wealth of experience and a broad perspective to the bench. Known for his legal expertise and dedication, his inclusion addresses the need for balanced representation and adds depth to the Court’s capacity to address its heavy caseload.
His elevation is a step forward in reinforcing the judiciary’s strength with competent and diverse judges. As he assumes his new responsibilities, Justice Manmohan is poised to make a significant contribution to the judiciary and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.
