On August 21, 2024 (Wednesday), the Supreme Court (SC) Collegium constituting Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and Justice BR Gavai recommended the names of 3 advocates for appointment as judges of the Delhi High Court. The advocates recommended to be appointed as judges of the Delhi HC are:
- Shri Ajay Digpaul,
- Shri Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, and
- Ms. Shwetasree Majumder.
While recommending their names, the Collegium said that the inter se seniority of the judges would be fixed as per the existing practice. Last year on October 25, the Chief Justice of the Delhi HC in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues recommended their names for appointment as Judges of that HC. In its resolution dated August 21, the SC Collegium said that for assessing the merit and suitability of the above-mentioned candidates for elevation to the HC, “we have scrutinized and evaluated the material placed on record. We have also perused the observations made by the Department of Justice in the file.”
The Collegium, in its resolution, stated that the candidate, Shri Ajay Digpaul, has good practice and considerable experience of 31 years in several branches of law including civil, criminal, constitutional, labor, company, service, and commercial law with specialization in civil and criminal cases. He has argued several cases which is reflected by his appearance in 42 reported judgments delivered by the High Court. Further, the SC Collegium mentioned that the inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that Shri Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar’s professional competence is viewed to be good and there is nothing adverse about his integrity. He has extensive practice which is reflected in 180 reported judgments delivered in the cases in which he appeared/argued.
In the resolution, the Collegium highlighted that “The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that the candidate (Ms. Shwetasree Majumder) is a competent lawyer in the field of Intellectual Property Rights.” It added that she has “extensive practice of more than 21 years and vast experience in civil matters, particularly intellectual property rights, technology, advertising, and trade secret matters, which would be a valuable addition to the Bench of the High Court of Delhi.” While expressing concern for the pendency of matters relating to Intellectual Property Rights in the Delhi HC, the Collegium said that Ms. Majumder’s expertise in the area of Intellectual Property Rights is of significant importance because of the pendency of such matters in the High Court which are being dealt with by a dedicated IP Division.
Lastly, the Supreme Court Collegium said, “Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium is of the considered view that the candidate is fit and suitable for appointment as a Judge of the High Court.” The resolution ends by stating “In view of the above, the Collegium resolves to recommend that S/Shri (i) Ajay Digpaul, (ii) Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, and (iii) Ms. Shwetasree Majumder, Advocates, be appointed as Judges of the High Court of Delhi. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice.”