Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Permanent Judges for 3 High Courts

The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, recommended the appointment of seven Additional Judges as Permanent Judges for the High Courts of Delhi, Karnataka, and Punjab & Haryana. The decision, announced on December 12, 2024, was made after a meeting with members Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Hrishikesh Roy, and Justice Abhay S. Oka. This move aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen the judiciary by filling crucial vacancies in High Courts.

Delhi High Court

The Collegium recommended the appointment of the following Additional Judges as Permanent Judges:

1. Justice Shalinder Kaur
2. Justice Ravinder Dudeja

Karnataka High Court

The following judges have been recommended for elevation to permanent status:

1. Justice Ramachandra Dattatray Huddar
2. Justice Venkatesh Naik Thavaryanaik
3. Justice Vijaykumar Adagouda Patil
4. Justice Rajesh Rai Kallangala (effective February 1, 2025, upon occurrence of vacancy)

Punjab & Haryana High Court

Justice Harpreet Singh Brar was recommended for appointment as a Permanent Judge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Link with Past and Broader Developments

In a related move, the Collegium also recommended the appointment of 13 Additional Judges across three High Courts, including Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab & Haryana, as Permanent Judges. Among them, Justice Duppala Venkata Ramana was proposed for Madhya Pradesh High Court, and Justices B.V.L.N. Chakravarthi and T.M. Rao for Andhra Pradesh High Court. The Collegium emphasized transparency and suitability, highlighting “good” ratings for judicial performance in their evaluations.

Summary of the news