In a significant development for India’s higher judiciary, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of five senior High Court judges as Chief Justices of various High Courts.
Among the key recommendations is the elevation of Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo from the Orissa High Court to the position of Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
The Collegium, in its meeting held today, proposed these appointments to fill upcoming vacancies due to retirements and transfers. The recommendations include:
- Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta (Allahabad High Court) as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court
- Justice Revati P. Mohite Dere (Bombay High Court) as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court
- Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque (Kerala High Court) as Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court
- Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo (Orissa High Court) as Chief Justice of Patna High Court
- Justice M.S. Sonak (Bombay High Court) as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court
Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, enrolled as an advocate in 1989, has a distinguished career specialising in criminal and service law. Elevated to the Orissa High Court bench in July 2014, he currently serves as the Executive Chairman of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority. His extensive experience on the bench and in administration makes him well-suited to lead the Patna High Court, which faces a substantial pendency of cases.
The Patna High Court, one of India’s oldest and busiest, will benefit from Justice Sahoo’s expertise in addressing judicial backlogs and strengthening legal aid services.
These recommendations, once approved by the Central Government, will further bolster leadership in the judiciary amid ongoing efforts to reduce case pendency nationwide.
