The Supreme Court Collegium has made a significant recommendation to elevate four High Court Chief Justices alongside Senior Advocate V Mohana to the apex court. The individuals put forward for this prestigious elevation include Justice Sheel Nagu, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Justice Arun Palli, and Senior Advocate V Mohana. These decisions were finalized during Collegium meetings held on May 22 and May 27.
If these recommendations receive approval from the Central government, V Mohana will become the tenth person to be elevated directly to the Supreme Court from the bar. Notably, she would also be the second woman to achieve this honor following in the footsteps of retired Justice Indu Malhotra.
Profile of Proposed Judges
Justice Sheel Nagu currently serves as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, with his parent court being the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Known for his role in the in-house inquiry committee on the cash-at-residence controversy involving Justice Yashwant Varma, Justice Nagu has been part of a landmark judicial accountability proceeding.
Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, presently the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, has his roots in the Jharkhand High Court. His legal acumen and leadership have been instrumental in his judicial journey.
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva is serving as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and originally hails from the Delhi High Court. His legal expertise is well-recognized across the judiciary.
Justice Arun Palli, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, is associated with the Punjab and Haryana High Court. His judicial contributions have been invaluable in his current jurisdiction.
Senior Advocate V Mohana practices at the Supreme Court of India and has played a pivotal role in significant cases, including the landmark litigation for the permanent commission of women officers in the Indian Army. Her potential elevation would mark a rare instance of a direct bar-to-bench transition in the Supreme Court.
Implications of the Recommendations
The Supreme Court’s sanctioned strength was recently expanded from 34 to 38 judges. Currently operating with 32 judges, these recommendations, if approved, will help fill the existing gaps and enhance the court’s capacity to handle its caseload effectively. The proposed elevations reflect the Collegium’s continued effort to bring diverse and competent legal minds to the highest echelons of the judiciary.
