SC Collegium Nominates Chief Justices for Five High Courts

The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the names of five judges for consideration by the Centre for appointment as chief justices of the high courts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana, Gauhati, Allahabad, and Jharkhand.

The recommended appointments are Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava for the position of Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, Justice Sheel Nagu for the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Vijay Bishnoi for the Gauhati High Court, Arun Bhansali for the Allahabad High Court, and B R Sarangi for the Jharkhand High Court.

Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud heads the Supreme Court collegium, with Justices Sanjiv Khanna and B R Gavai as members.

The vacancy in the office of the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court arose following the elevation of Justice Augustine George Masih to the Supreme Court. The collegium recommended Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, the senior-most puisne Judge from the High Court of Chhattisgarh, taking into account the absence of representation from the High Court of Chhattisgarh among the Chief Justices of the High Courts.

Justice Sheel Nagu, considered a competent judge with a high level of integrity, has been proposed for the Chief Justice position of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The collegium acknowledged the existing representation of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh among the Chief Justices of the High Courts but deemed Justice Sheel Nagu fit and suitable for the role.

Justice Bishnoi, known for maintaining a high order of professional ethics, is recommended for the Gauhati High Court, considering the current absence of representation from the Rajasthan High Court among the Chief Justices.

Justice Bhansali, with extensive experience dispensing justice in the Rajasthan High Court, is considered eminently suitable for elevation as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.

Justice Sarangi, recognized for his significant contribution to the judiciary, including the disposal of over 1,056 reported judgments, is recommended for the position of Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, considering the impending retirement of Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra and the need for representation from the High Court of Orissa among the Chief Justices.