Shalinder Kaur and Ravinder Dudeja Takes Oath as Delhi HC Additional Judges

Two new Judges were sworn in at the Delhi High Court on Friday. The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court administered the oath to Shalinder Kaur and Ravinder Dudeja as Additional Judges.

Earlier, the Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification on October 16, 2023, stating that, in the exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 224 of the Constitution of India, “The President is pleased to appoint Shalinder Kaur as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court with effect from the date she assumes office, until September 7, 2025, and Ravinder Dudeja as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court for a two-year term, with effect from the date he assumes office.”

The Supreme Court Collegium had recently recommended the names of Shalinder Kaur and Ravinder Dudeja, who were Judicial Officers, for appointment as Judges of the Delhi High Court. According to the collegium, in May 2023, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi, in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues, recommended the elevation of these judicial officers as judges of the High Court.

The Judgment Evaluation Committee gave an ‘A’ rating in favor of Shalinder Kaur’s judgments. Both consultee-judges attested to her merit and ability. The assessment made by the Government in the file did not indicate anything adverse to her integrity or reputation. The resolution of the Supreme Court collegium stated the need to ensure greater representation of women on the Bench to promote diversity and inclusion.

“The collegium is aware that the officer recently retired from the Delhi Higher Judicial Service on September 30, 2023. Nevertheless, given the officer’s proven track record and possession of both merit and integrity, the Collegium believes she is suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court of Delhi,” added the Collegium.

Ravinder Dudeja also received an ‘A’ rating from the Judgment Evaluation Committee. Both consultee-judges confirmed his merit and ability. The assessment made by the Government in the file did not contain any adverse observations about his integrity or reputation.

“Considering the officer’s extensive experience in judicial service, merit, and integrity, the Collegium believes he is suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court of Delhi,” the collegium stated.