The Supreme Court (SC) Collegium, led by CJI B.R. Gavai, has recommended permanent judge appointments for Karnataka, Madras, and Tripura High Courts, along with new judicial appointments for Himachal Pradesh, aiming to strengthen judicial efficiency and address vacancies.
The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai, has recommended the appointment of several permanent judges to the Karnataka, Madras, and Tripura High Courts. The decision was taken during a meeting held on September 15, 2025, and the recommendations have been uploaded on the official website of the Supreme Court.
Permanent Appointments in Karnataka High Court
In Karnataka, the Collegium approved the appointment of Justice Kurubarahalli Venkataramareddy Aravind, who was serving as an Additional Judge, as a permanent Judge of the High Court of Karnataka. This move marks a significant step in strengthening the judicial strength of the court, which has been facing increasing caseloads.
Additionally, the Collegium has cleared the names of three judicial officers for elevation to the Karnataka High Court bench. The recommended officers are Geetha Kadaba Bharatharaja Setty, Muralidhara Pai Borkatte, and Tyagaraja Narayan Inavally. Their appointments, once formally approved, are expected to further enhance the functioning of the High Court by bringing experienced judicial expertise into its fold.
Appointments in Madras High Court
The Collegium also recommended the appointment of two Additional Judges of the Madras High Court as permanent Judges. Justices N. Senthilkumar and G. Arul Murugan, both of whom have been serving as Additional Judges, are now set to be confirmed as permanent members of the Madras High Court bench. These appointments are particularly significant given the backlog of cases in the Madras High Court, one of the busiest in the country.
Appointment in Tripura High Court
In Tripura, the Supreme Court Collegium approved the recommendation for Justice Biswajit Palit, who has been serving as an Additional Judge, to be appointed as a permanent Judge of the High Court of Tripura. Tripura, being one of the smaller High Courts, has long faced challenges of judicial vacancies, and this recommendation is expected to improve its efficiency in handling cases.
Advocates Recommended for Himachal Pradesh High Court
Apart from Karnataka, Madras, and Tripura, the Collegium has also recommended two advocates – Jiya Lal Bhardwaj and Romesh Verma – for appointment as Judges of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Their selection from the Bar is in line with the practice of appointing judges both from the judicial service and practicing advocates, ensuring a balance of perspectives on the Bench.
Constitutional Provisions Governing Appointments
Judicial appointments in India are governed by the Constitution. Under clause (1) of Article 217, the President appoints the Chief Justice and Judges of the High Courts. Additional Judges, who are appointed when there is a temporary increase in workload or vacancies, are appointed under clause (1) of Article 224.
The Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), which regulates the appointment of judges, specifies that the Chief Justice of a High Court should not recommend an additional judge when a vacancy for a permanent judge exists. The recent recommendations are consistent with this guideline, ensuring a transition from additional to permanent positions where necessary.
Importance of the Collegium’s Recommendations
The Supreme Court Collegium plays a crucial role in maintaining the independence of the judiciary by recommending names for judicial appointments. Its decisions are instrumental in addressing judicial vacancies, a persistent challenge across High Courts in India. With growing numbers of pending cases, the timely appointment of judges remains essential to reduce delays and ensure effective delivery of justice.
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The Collegium’s recommendations for Karnataka, Madras, Tripura, and Himachal Pradesh High Courts are expected to bring much-needed relief in terms of manpower and judicial strength. Once the recommendations are approved by the President of India, the respective High Courts will be better positioned to manage their caseloads and improve access to justice for litigants.
