The Supreme Court Collegium recently recommended that Justice SV Bhatti be appointed Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
The resolution was posted on the Supreme Court’s website.
It is worth noting that Justice SV Bhatti is the senior-most judge from the Andhra Pradesh High Court and is currently serving as the senior-most judge of the Kerala High Court on transfer.
The office of Kerala High Court Chief Justice is set to become vacant soon, following the retirement of incumbent Chief Justice S Manikumar on April 24.
The Collegium noted that Justice Bhatti’s experience as a senior puisne judge in two High Courts would be beneficial to him as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
Furthermore, no judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court serves as Chief Justice of any High Court.
“Having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium is of the considered view that Mr Justice S V Bhatti is fit and suitable in all respects to be appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court of Kerala,” the Collegium resolution reads.