On Wednesday, the Supreme Court Collegium led by CJI DY Chandrachud recommended the name of Justice Alok Aradhe of Karnataka High Court, as Chief Justice of Telangana High Court.
The resolution states as under:
A vacancy in the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court for the State of Telangana would arise consequent upon the elevation of Mr Justice Ujjal Bhuyan to the Supreme Court in terms of the separate recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium. 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 appoint Mr Justice Alok Aradhe as the Chief Justice of the High Court for the State of Telangana. He was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 29 December 2009 and is now a senior puisne Judge in his parent High Court. He has been functioning, on transfer since November 2018 as a Judge of the Karnataka High Court and has acquired experience of more than 13 years in dispensing justice in two large High Courts.
Having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium is of the considered view that Mr Justice Alok Aradhe is fit and suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court for the State of Telangana.
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 Alok Aradhe for appointment as the Chief Justice of the High Court for the State of Telangana. The consultee-Judge/s have concurred with the proposal of his appointment as the Chief Justice of the High Court for the State of Telangana.
In view of the above, the Collegium resolves to recommend that Mr Justice Alok Aradhe be appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court for the State of Telangana.”
