Supreme Court Collegium recommends names for elevation as judges of the Madras, Bombay, and Karnataka High Courts

On July 18, 2023, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended the appointment of Advocates and Lawyers as judges of the Madras High Court, Bombay High Court, and Karnataka High Court. The Collegium is headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud followed by other four judges, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Surya Kant, Justice BR Gavai, and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul. 

Collegium recommended that Lawyer G Arul Murugan and Lawyer N Senthilkumar be elevated as judges of the Madras HC. Earlier on 3 August 2022, their names were recommended by the Madras HC Collegium. While recommending Senthilkumar’s name, the Collegium opined, “The Candidate has a standing of over twenty-eight years at the Bar. He has experience of appearing before the Sessions Court and the Madras High Court. He has been practicing in constitutional, criminal, service, and civil cases. His field of specialization is criminal and constitutional law.” The Collegium added, “His appointment as a judge of the High Court will enhance the representation on the Bench to marginalized communities. Having regard to the above factors, the Collegium is of the considered opinion that Shri N Senthilkumar is suitable for elevation to the Madras High Court.” While recommending Murugan’s name, the Collegium observed that he was having an experience of over twenty-four years at the Bar and had specialization in civil, criminal, and writ cases. Collegium opined, “His appointment as a judge will facilitate greater representation to the OBCs in appointment to the higher judiciary.”

The Supreme Court Collegium passed another resolution on July 18 in which Advocate Manjusha Ajay Deshpande was recommended for elevation as a judge of the Bombay High Court. The issued resolution illustrated that the recommendation was made by the Bombay HC Collegium on 26 September 2022. This decision was deferred by the Collegium on May 2, 2023, but was again considered after three consultee judges of the SC opined that she is suitable for elevation. Manjusha Ajay Deshpande has been in practice for over thirty-two years, the resolution read. The Collegium while recommending her name mentioned that “The elevation of the candidate would add to the representation of women on the Bench of the HC of Bombay particularly amongst women lawyers practicing before the bench at Aurangabad.” Therefore, her name was recommended by the Collegium for appointment as a judge of the Bombay HC.

In another resolution, dated July 18, 2023, the SC Collegium recommended the elevation of Advocate Kurubarahalli Venkataramareddy Aravind as a judge of the Karnataka HC. While recommending his name, the Collegium observed that he has an experience of 23 years at the BAR and appeared in cases resulting in 567 reported judgments. The issued resolution read, “There is a considerable amount of tax litigation before the Karnataka HC. There is a need for specialized judges having domain experience in this branch of law. Tax law is integrally connected with various other branches of law including commercial, corporate, and personal law. Keeping in view the above aspects and on considering the proposal for his elevation, the Collegium is of the considered opinion that Shri Kurubarahalli Venkataramareddy Aravind is fit and suitable for appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Karnataka.” If the recommended names are confirmed for elevation then the three High Courts will welcome new judges who will do their part in delivering justice to the citizens.