Former Supreme Court judge Justice Rajesh Bindal was formally appointed as the Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Justice Bindal succeeds former Supreme Court judge Justice Ashok Bhushan, who completed his tenure as NCLAT chief on July 4, 2026. Following Justice Bhushan’s retirement, Justice Yogesh Khanna, a judicial member of the appellate tribunal, served as officiating chairperson from July 5.
Judicial Career & Key Milestones
Justice Bindal brings extensive judicial experience to the appellate tribunal’s leadership:
- Supreme Court Tenure: Justice Bindal served at the top court for over three years following his elevation in February 2023, before retiring on April 15, 2026.
- High Court Leadership: Prior to his elevation to the Supreme Court, he served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.
Appointment Amid Apex Court Scrutiny on Tribunal Autonomy
The high-profile appointment coincides with intense scrutiny by the Supreme Court regarding administrative oversight of insolvency tribunals:
- CJI Remarks on Institutional Independence: Just last week, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, expressed serious concerns over the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ administrative control over NCLT and NCLAT.
- Autonomy Reforms: Hearing a petition concerning contractual staff in tribunals, CJI Kant orally remarked that tribunals had been “completely hijacked” by the ministry and called for granting tribunal presidents full autonomy over appointments, recommending recruitment through the UPSC or SSC.
Justice Bindal takes charge at a critical juncture as the tribunal handles major corporate insolvencies and regulatory appeals nationwide.
