Six New Judges Sworn In At The Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court saw a notable expansion on Monday as 6 newly transferred judges were sworn into office.

With these appointments, the total number of judges at the court has risen to 40, although still short of the approved capacity of 60.

Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya presided over the oath-taking ceremony, welcoming judges from various High Courts across India. These transfers had been recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium in May 2024 and received approval from the central government just last week.

Justice V. Kameswar Rao Returns to His Parent Court

Among those sworn in was Justice V. Kameswar Rao, who has been repatriated to Delhi after a short stint at the Karnataka High Court. Initially appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court in April 2013, Justice Rao was made permanent in March 2015. His return restores him to the court where his judicial career began.

Backgrounds of the Newly Inducted Judges

Justice Anil Kshetarpal

Previously serving at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Kshetarpal began practicing law in Kurukshetra before moving to Chandigarh in 1988. He joined the chamber of former Chief Justice V.K. Bali and started his independent practice in 1991, focusing on civil and constitutional law. He was designated a Senior Advocate in 2014 and elevated to the bench in July 2017.

Justice Arun Monga

With roots in Punjab, Justice Monga completed his B.Sc from DAV College, Chandigarh, and earned his law degree from Panjab University. During his law studies, he also taught Chemistry at a local school. He began his legal career in 1991, eventually moving to Delhi, where he practiced for two decades. He became a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2018 and was transferred to the Rajasthan High Court in 2023.

Justice Om Prakash Shukla

A law graduate from Lucknow University, Justice Shukla enrolled as an advocate in 2003. His practice spanned multiple areas, including civil, service, criminal, and constitutional law. He worked in the Supreme Court, as well as the Allahabad and Delhi High Courts. He was appointed as an additional judge in August 2022 and confirmed as a permanent judge in March 2024.

Justice Vivek Chaudhary

Justice Chaudhary earned his law degree from Meerut University in 1988 and began his legal career at the Allahabad High Court. Specializing in civil and constitutional law, he also appeared before the Supreme Court. He became an additional judge in 2017 and was made permanent the following year.

Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre

Born in Nagpur in 1967, Justice Sambre graduated in law in 1992. He began his legal journey under the mentorship of Sharad A. Bobde, who would later serve as Chief Justice of India. He practiced in the Bombay High Court and served as Secretary of the Nagpur Bar Association between 2004 and 2007. He was appointed to the bench in January 2014.

Changes Expected Within High Court Collegium

These new appointments are expected to reshape the internal Collegium of the Delhi High Court, which plays a key role in administrative decisions and judicial transfers. With a strengthened bench, the court also hopes to address its growing backlog of cases and enhance overall judicial efficiency.