The High Court of Chhattisgarh, in a Full Court meeting on August 7, 2025, has designated three advocates—Shri Ashok Kumar Varma, Shri Manoj Vishwanath Paranjpe, and Shri Sunil Otwani—as Senior Advocates. The decision was formalized through a notification issued by the Registrar General.
The designation was made by the High Court in the exercise of its powers conferred under Section 16 of the Advocates Act, 1961, and Rule 7 of the High Court of Chhattisgarh (Designation of Senior Advocates) Rules, 2018. The process also adheres to the guidelines established by the Supreme Court of India in its judgment dated October 12, 2017, in the case of Ms. Indira Jaising Vs. Supreme Court of India through Secretary General and Ors.
This landmark Supreme Court judgment introduced a more transparent and objective framework for the designation of Senior Advocates, establishing a permanent committee and laying down specific criteria for assessment.
The notification, bearing number 15708/SCDSA/2025, explicitly states that the High Court of Chhattisgarh in its “Full Court approval dated 07/08/2025 has resolved to designate the following Advocates as Senior Advocates with immediate effect.”
The newly designated Senior Advocates are:
- Shri Ashok Kumar Varma
- Shri Manoj Vishwanath Paranjpe
- Shri Sunil Otwani
