First High Court Judge Appointed From Arunachal Pradesh 

The Supreme Court Collegium recently has recommended the appointment of senior advocate Kardak Ete as a judge of the Gauhati High Court, giving Arunachal Pradesh its first High Court judge.

The Supreme Court Collegium, comprising of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, and Justice K M Joseph, recommended the appointment of senior advocate Kardak Ete as a judge of the Gauhati High Court on December 1, 2022.

The recommendation was supported by the chief ministers and governors of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland.

“In order to determine the fitness and suitability of Kardak Ete for promotion to the High Court, in line of the Memorandum of Procedure, the Supreme Court judges conversant with the operations of the Gauhati High Court were consulted,” the Supreme Court Collegium stated.

“For the purpose of considering the merit and appropriateness of Kardak Ete for promotion to the High Court, we have reviewed and evaluated the material placed on record. We also reviewed the Department of Justice’s views in the file. According to the Intelligence Bureau report, he has a strong personal and professional reputation, and nothing negative has come to light in terms of honesty.”

“In addition to his personal expertise and status at the Bar, Kardak Ete’s selection will increase the High Court’s diversity and inclusivity.” the collegium added.

Advocate Ete, who formerly served as Arunachal Pradesh’s Additional Advocate General, would be the first advocate from the border state to be appointed as a judge of the Gauhati High Court.

Advocate Ete is from Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh and belongs to a Scheduled Tribe (ST).

The Gauhati High Court now has 22 judges, against a sanctioned strength of 24, which includes the chief justice and six additional judges. If the government accepts the proposal to elevate Ete, the high court will have only a single vacancy.