The Supreme Court Collegium on Monday recommended the elevation of three high court judges to the apex court: Karnataka High Court Chief Justice N V Anjaria, Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi, and Bombay High Court judge Justice A S Chandurkar.
A five-member collegium, headed by CJI B R Gavai met to discuss to fill up the vacancies in the court, reported legal news agency Bar and Bench.
Why was the elevation of 3 judges recommended?
Following the recent retirements of former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Abhay S Oka and Bela Trivedi, the Supreme Court is currently operating with 31 judges—three short of its full capacity.
If the latest recommendations by the Collegium are approved, the apex court will once again function at its sanctioned strength of 34 judges.
Judges recommended for elevation — a look at who's who
Here's a glimpse at the legal careers of the three judges who have been recommended to be appointed as judges of the Supreme Court of India.
1. Justice Anjaria – parent court Gujarat HC
Early career: Justice N V Anjaria began practicing law at the Gujarat High Court in August 1988. He worked under Senior Advocate S.N. Shelat. His practice focused on constitutional, civil, labour, and service matters.
Counsel roles: Served as standing counsel for various state bodies, including: the Gujarat High Court, State Election Commission, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation
Judicial appointments: Appointed as Additional Judge of the Gujarat High Court on November 21, 2011. Became a permanent judge on September 6, 2013.
Current position: Was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court on February 25, 2024.
2. Justice Bishnoi — parent court Rajasthan HC
Early career: Enrolled as an advocate on July 8, 1989. Justice Bishnoi practiced at the Rajasthan High Court and Central Administrative Tribunal in Jodhpur.
He handled a broad range of cases including civil, criminal, constitutional, service, and election matters.
Government representation: Served as Additional Central Government Standing Counsel from 2000 to 2004. Justice Bishnoi represented multiple Rajasthan government departments, such as:
Rural development, Panchayat Raj, stamps & registration, co-operatives, labour, transport, excise
Judicial appointments: Appointed as an Additional Judge of the Rajasthan High Court on January 8, 2013. Elevated to permanent judge on January 7, 2015.
Current role: Appointed as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court; took oath on February 5, 2024.
3. Justice Chandurkar — judge at Bombay HC
Early career: Justice Chandurkar was enrolled as a lawyer on July 21, 1988. He began his legal career in Mumbai under Senior Advocate B.N. Naik, who was later elevated to the judiciary.
In 1992, Justice Chandurkar shifted practice to Nagpur, appearing before various courts and handling diverse legal matters.
Publications: The Maharashtra Municipal Council, Nagar Panchayats & Industrial Townships Act, 1965, The Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999
Judicial Appointment: Appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on June 21, 2013.
