The Supreme Court of India’s Collegium has recommended two High Court judges for elevation to the apex court, filling vacancies left by recent retirements. The decision, made on July 11, 2024, aims to address the court’s diversity and representation needs while maintaining high standards of judicial excellence.
The Collegium, led by Chief Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, has proposed the appointment of Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Justice R Mahadevan to the Supreme Court.
Justice N Kotiswar Singh, currently serving as the Chief Justice of the High Court for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, is set to become the first judge from Manipur to join the Supreme Court. His appointment is expected to provide representation to the North-East region. The Collegium praised Justice Singh’s “impeccable record” in both judicial capacity and administrative work.
Justice R Mahadevan, presently the Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, has been recommended for his judicial performance and suitability for the role. His appointment is notable as he belongs to a backward community from Tamil Nadu, furthering the court’s goal of increased diversity on the bench.
In making these recommendations, the Collegium considered several factors, including:
– Seniority of judges under consideration
– Merit demonstrated through judgments and performance
– Integrity
– Regional, gender, and community diversity
– Inclusion of marginalized and backward segments of society
The Collegium’s decision to prioritize Justice Mahadevan’s candidature, despite his lower seniority ranking in the Madras High Court, underscores the importance placed on representation from backward communities.
These recommendations come in the wake of vacancies created by the retirements of Justice Aniruddha Bose on April 10, 2024, and Justice A S Bopanna on May 19, 2024.
The appointments, if approved, will not only fill crucial vacancies in the Supreme Court but also mark significant steps towards achieving greater diversity and representation in India’s highest judicial body.
