The Narendra Modi Government has cleared the appointment of five new judges to the Supreme Court, taking a major step towards filling vacancies in the country’s highest court. The appointments were officially notified on Sunday, 31st May, following recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium during its meetings on 22nd May and 27th May.
Among those elevated are four sitting Chief Justices of High Courts and senior advocate V. Mohana, who has been practising in the Supreme Court. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced the appointments through a post on social media.
Who are the new Supreme Court judges?
The five appointees are Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court; Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court; Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court; Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh; and senior advocate V. Mohana.
Boost to women’s representation
V. Mohana’s appointment is significant as it increases the representation of women in the Supreme Court. At present, Justice B.V. Nagarathna is the only woman judge in the apex court. Notably, no woman had been appointed to the Supreme Court since August 2021.
Supreme Court strength to improve
The appointments come at a time when the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court has recently been increased from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. The court currently has 32 judges. Two more vacancies are expected later this month with the retirement of Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Pankaj Mithal.
With these fresh appointments, the government and judiciary have moved closer to ensuring that the Supreme Court functions with a stronger bench and reduced vacancies.
