In a significant judicial update, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of two judicial officers from Bihar as judges of the Patna High Court. The officers in question, Shashi Bhushan Prasad Singh and Ashok Kumar Pandey, were officially nominated following a resolution posted on the Supreme Court’s website.
This recommendation follows a proposal by the Patna High Court Collegium on May 7, indicating a rigorous selection process. The endorsements from the Bihar Chief Minister and the Governor further solidified their nominations, underscoring a unified agreement on their qualifications.
The appointments come after careful consideration and consultation with judges of the Supreme Court familiar with the workings of the Patna High Court. This process is in line with the established Memorandum of Procedure, which ensures that only the most qualified candidates make it to the bench.
Shashi Bhushan Prasad Singh, currently serving as Registrar (Vigilance) of the High Court, has maintained a commendable professional and personal reputation, with no concerns regarding his integrity. Similarly, Ashok Kumar Pandey, who is the Director of the Bihar Judicial Academy, received favorable assessments for his role and contributions to the judiciary.
Although the resolution acknowledged that some senior judicial officers were being superseded by these appointments, the High Court Collegium provided thorough justifications for its decisions, highlighting the transparency and accountability of the process.
