Supreme Court Back at Full Strength with Appointment of Two New Judges

New Delhi: The Supreme Court is back to its sanctioned strength of 34 judges following the appointment of Patna High Court Chief Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi and Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe. President Droupadi Murmu cleared the appointments within 48 hours of the Centre receiving the collegium’s recommendations.

Justice Pancholi’s elevation increases the number of Supreme Court judges with Gujarat High Court roots to three. The collegium, led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, approved the names by a 4:1 majority. Justice BV Nagarathna dissented, warning that a third judge from Gujarat could upset the regional balance and affect the credibility of the collegium system.

She also raised concerns over Justice Pancholi’s transfer from Gujarat High Court to Patna High Court as Chief Justice and noted that he is in line to become the Chief Justice of India in August 2031, following Justice Joymalya Bagchi’s retirement.

The collegium that recommended the appointments included CJI Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Nagarathna. With the new appointments, both vacant seats in the apex court stand filled.