The Supreme Court Collegium, at its meeting held on December 18, 2025, recommended the elevation and transfer of five senior High Court judges for appointment as Chief Justices of various High Courts across the country.
According to the official statement issued after the meeting, the recommendations were made to fill vacancies arising from the retirement or transfer of incumbent Chief Justices in several High Courts.
Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta of the Allahabad High Court has been recommended for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court. The vacancy is set to arise following the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice on January 9, 2026.
The Collegium has also proposed the appointment of Justice Revati P. Mohite Dere of the Bombay High Court as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court. This recommendation follows the transfer of the present Chief Justice of that High Court.
Justice M.S. Sonak, also from the Bombay High Court, has been recommended for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. The post is expected to fall vacant upon the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice on January 8, 2026.
In addition, Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque of the Kerala High Court has been recommended for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court.
The Collegium has further recommended Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo of the Orissa High Court for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
The recommendations will now be forwarded to the Union government for further processing and issuance of formal appointment notifications in accordance with the constitutional procedure.
