The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the elevation of Justice Prakash Shrivastava as Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court.
The Collegium has resolved to recommend the appointment of Mr Justice T S Sivagnanam as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, on the retirement of Mr Justice Prakash Shrivastava.
The Collegium statement reads as under:
The office of the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court would be falling vacant on 30 March 2023, consequent upon the retirement of Mr Justice Prakash Shrivastava. Therefore, appointment to that office is required to be made.
In anticipation of the retirement of Mr Justice Prakash Shrivastava, the Collegium has decided to recommend Mr Justice T S Sivagnanam, the seniormost Judge of the Calcutta High Court for appointment as Chief of that High Court.
The parent High Court of Mr Justice T S Sivagnanam is the Madras High Court. He was appointed as a Judge on 31 March 2009 and the date of his retirement is 15 September 2025. Presently, the Madras High Court, which is one of the largest High Courts, has only one Chief Justice from amongst Judges whose parent High Court is the Madras High Court namely Mr Justice S Manikumar.
Mr Justice S Manikumar is presently working as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court and will demit office on 23 April 2023. In terms of the Memorandum of Procedure, consultation was held with consultee-Judge/s with a view to ascertain the suitability of Mr Justice T S Sivagnanam for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.
The consultee-Judge/s have concurred with the proposal for the appointment of Mr Justice T S Sivagnanam as the Chief Justice. Apart from this, the period which has been served by Mr Justice T S Sivagnanam as a Judge of the Calcutta High Court would provide useful experience in his work as the Chief Justice of that High Court.
Having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium is of the considered view that Mr Justice T S Sivagnanam is fit and suitable in all respects for being appointed as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.
The Collegium, therefore, resolves to recommend the appointment of Mr Justice T S Sivagnanam as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, on the retirement of Mr Justice Prakash Shrivastava.
