The Ministry of Law and Justice has confirmed the elevation of six additional judges from the Bombay High Court to permanent judges. This decision, sanctioned by the Central government, was formalized through a notification issued on June 6, 2026. The judges in question are Justices Nivedita Prakash Mehta, Prafulla Surendrakumar Khubalkar, Ashwin Damodar Bhobe, Rohit Wasudeo Joshi, Advait Mahendra Sethna, and Pravin Sheshrao Patil.
According to the official notification, “In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint S/Shri Justices (i) Ms. Nivedita Prakash Mehta, (ii) Prafulla Surendrakumar Khubalkar, (iii) Ashwin Damodar Bhobe, (iv) Rohit Wasudeo Joshi, (v) Advait Mahendra Sethna, and (vi) Pravin Sheshrao Patil, Additional Judges of the Bombay High Court, to be Judges of that High Court with effect from the date they assume charge of their respective offices.”
This promotion will enable these judges to continue their service from the moment they assume their new roles. Justice Pravin Sheshrao Patil joined as an additional judge in January 2025, while the other five judges took on their roles in October 2024. Their elevation comes as part of the judiciary’s ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance the efficiency of the court system.
With this elevation, the Bombay High Court’s current composition includes 56 permanent judges and 20 additional judges. The Court’s full sanctioned capacity is 71 permanent judges and 23 additional judges, indicating an ongoing process to meet the staffing requirements necessary for its optimal functioning.
