Justice Manmohan appointed as Supreme Court judge

Justice Manmohan’s elevation increases the Supreme Court’s judicial strength to 33, one short of the full sanctioned strength; his was also first recommendation to the top court Bench from the Collegium led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna

The government on Tuesday (December 3, 2024) notified the appointment of Justice Manmohan, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, as a judge of the Supreme Court.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Manmohan, Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi, to be a Judge of the Supreme Court of India, with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office,” the Department of Justice notification read.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru, the senior most puisne judge of the Delhi High Court, has been appointed the Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court with effect from the date Justice Manmohan relinquished the charge of his office consequent upon his elevation as a Supreme Court judge.

Justice Manmohan’s elevation increases the Supreme Court’s judicial strength to 33, one short of the full sanctioned strength.

The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had recommended Justice Manmohan’s name for appointment as a top court judge on November 28.

He was also the first recommendation to the Supreme Court Bench from the Collegium led by Chief Justice Khanna.

The two vacancies had arisen in the top court with the retirements of Chief Justice Khanna’s predecessor, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, and Justice Hima Kohli.

Justice Manmohan is ranked second in the combined all-India seniority of High Court judges. He was also the senior most judge serving in the Delhi High Court.

He was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court on March 13, 2008. He had been functioning as the Chief Justice of the High Court since September 29 this year.

Published - December 03, 2024 04:06 pm IST