Five new judges on Friday has been sworn in as additional judges of the Bombay High Court. Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay administered the oath to the following judges:
– Nivedita Prakash Mehta
– Prafulla Surendrakumar Khubalkar
– Ashwin Damodar Bhobe
– Rohit Wasudeo Joshi
– Advait Mahendra Sethna
These judges will serve for an initial period of two years, after which their positions may be confirmed as permanent judges of the High Court.
Prior to this appointment, the Bombay High Court had a working strength of 64 judges, significantly below its sanctioned capacity of 94. With the addition of these five judges, the total number of judges has now increased to 69.
The Central Government approved the appointments on October 23 of this year, following a recommendation from the Supreme Court Collegium made on September 24.
The Collegium’s resolution stemmed from a proposal by the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, who recommended the elevation of these five lawyers on January 19, 2024.
This expansion of the bench is a welcome development for the Bombay High Court, which has been facing a backlog of cases due to a shortage of judges. The infusion of new judges is expected to enhance the court’s efficiency and address pending matters more effectively.
The appointment process reflects the ongoing efforts to strengthen the judicial system in India and ensure that the courts can manage their caseloads more effectively. As these new judges take on their responsibilities, their experience and expertise will contribute to the functioning of the High Court and the administration of justice in Maharashtra.
As the judiciary continues to evolve, the successful integration of these judges into the system will be closely observed. Their performance and impact on the court’s operations will play a crucial role in shaping the future of judicial proceedings in the region.
With the pressing need for judicial reform and efficiency, this appointment marks a significant step toward improving the judicial landscape in the state.
