On Wednesday, the Supreme Court Collegium led by CJI DY Chandrachud recommended the name of Justice Justice Subhasis Talapatra (PHC Tripura HC) as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.
The resolution states as under:
A vacancy in the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Orissa would arise in August 2023 consequent upon retirement of Dr Justice S Muralidhar. Therefore, appointment to that office is required to be made.
Para 3 of the Memorandum of Procedure relating to appointment of Chief Justice of a High Court provides as under:
“A fair representation shall be given to various High Courts for selection of Chief Justices. For purposes of such selection, inter-se seniority of puisne Judges will be reckoned on the basis of their seniority in their own High Court. The consideration for appointment of Chief Justices shall be based on the criterion of seniority subject to merit and integrity.”
It is proposed to recommend the name of Mr Justice Subhasis Talapatra, the senior-most Judge from the Tripura High Court, for appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court of Orissa. He was elevated as a Judge of the Gauhati High Court on 15 November 2011 and on establishment of a separate High Court for the State of Tripura in 2013 he opted the High Court of Tripura as his parent High Court. He has been functioning, on transfer, in the High Court of Orissa since 10 June 2022. He has acquired considerable experience of dispensing justice in two High Courts. While considering his name, the Collegium has taken into consideration the fact that since its inception in 2013, the High Court of Tripura till date has not got representation among the Chief Justices of the High Courts. Having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium is of the considered view that Mr Justice Subhasis Talapatra is fit and suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court of Orissa.
In terms of the Memorandum of Procedure, consultation has been held with the consultee-Judge/s with a view to ascertain the fitness and suitability of Mr Justice Subhasis Talapatra for appointment as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Orissa. The consultee-Judge/s have concurred with the proposal of his appointment as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Orissa.
In view of the above, the Collegium resolves to recommend that Mr. Justice Subhasis Talapatra be appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Orissa consequent upon retirement of Dr. Justice S. Muralidhar
