In a significant move within the judiciary, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the transfer of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma from the Delhi High Court to the Calcutta High Court. This decision was made at a recent Collegium meeting on March 27, marking a pivotal shift in Justice Sharma’s distinguished career.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma has a long-standing history in the judicial services, having joined the Delhi Judicial Service in 1992. His ascent in the judiciary has been marked by significant roles and responsibilities, including his promotion to the Higher Judicial Service in 2003. Over the years, Justice Sharma has served in various capacities such as the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court and the Principal District & Sessions Judge in New Delhi.
An alumnus of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute, Justice Sharma has contributed extensively to judicial education. He has played a key role in training mediators as part of the Supreme Court’s Mediation Project. His commitment to judicial processes was further highlighted when he took oath as a judge of the Delhi High Court on February 28, 2022.
Justice Sharma’s judicial work extends beyond his official duties. He has been notably active in enhancing the mechanisms for the protection of vulnerable witnesses, being involved in the Vulnerable Witness Deposition Complex program and contributing to the drafting of guidelines to facilitate their testimonies.
The transfer comes at a time when the Calcutta High Court is facing a significant shortage of judges. With a sanctioned strength of 72 judges, it currently operates with only 44, leaving a substantial vacancy of 28 judges. The addition of Justice Sharma is expected to bolster the judicial capacity of the High Court as it tackles a backlog of cases.
