November 2024 Judicial Appointment Tracker | Justice Sanjiv Khanna takes charge as 51st CJI; 2 appointments recommended by SC Collegium

Supreme Court Collegium Recommendations

SC Collegium recommends appointment of Justice D. Krishnakumar as next Chief Justice of Manipur HC

The Supreme Court Collegium comprising of new Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice B.R Gavai and Justice Surya Kant, on 18-11-2024, recommended the appointment of Justice D. Krishnakumar as next Chief Justice of High Court of Manipur consequent upon the retirement of Justice Siddharth Mridul on 21-11-2024.

SC Collegium recommends appointment of Justice Manmohan as Judge of Supreme Court of India

On 28-11-2024, the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Chief Justice of India, recommended the appointment of Justice Manmohan as Judge of Supreme Court of India.

Supreme Court Judges’ Strength in November

With the retirements of Justice Hima Kohli in September and CJI DY Chandrachud in November, the number of Judges in the Supreme Court dwindled to 32 Judges as against the sanctioned strength of 34 Judges.

The Collegium on 28-11-2024 recommended the appointment of Justice Manmohan, Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, as Judge of Supreme Court.

In November, the Supreme Court of India also witnessed the swearing in ceremony of 51st Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who succeeded Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. On 11-11-2024, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who succeeds former CJI, Dr. DY Chandrachud as the 51st Chief Justice of India. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the function was attended by eminent dignitaries from legislative, executive and judicial fields. The President of India in exercise of powers under Article 124(2) of the Constitution, had appointed Justice Sanjiv Khanna, seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court, as Chief Justice of India, and the Ministry of Law and Justice notified the same on 24-10-2024. Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s name as the next Chief Justice was recommended by former Chief Justice Dr DY Chandrachud who retired from office on 10-11-2024. Justice Sanjiv Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court on 18-1-2019 and is due to retire on 13-5-2025, which means he will have a tenure of almost 6 months as Chief Justice of India.

The High Courts

Ministry of Law and Justice in November increased the sanctioned Bench strength of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh from 17 judges to 25 Judges¹. Consequently, the overall sanctioned strength of High Court Judges of India increased from 1114 Judges to 1122 Judges².

Appointment of High Court Judges

On 20-111-2024, the Ministry of Law and Justice notified the appointment of Justice D. Krishnakumar, Judge, Madras High Court, to be the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court.

Retirements

50th Chief Justice of India Dr D.Y. Chandrachud Retires

As Dr Justice DY Chandrachud bid adieu to the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court of India, where he had delivered great many significant judgments for 8 years, we took a step back in time to recapitulate his journey.

7th Chief Justice of Manipur High Court, Justice Siddharth Mridul, retires after a tenure of 13 months

Justice Siddharth Mridul started his legal career in 1986 from Delhi High Court and for 37 years served his parent High Court in the capacity of an Advocate and then a Judge. In October 2023, Justice Mridul took charge as the 7th Chief Justice of Manipur High Court.

Remembrance

In Memoriam: Late Justice Kuldip Singh, the Green Judge of India

Former Judge of Supreme Court, whose illustrious career became a beacon of hope for the development of environmental law in India, so much so that he even earned the moniker of “The Green Judge”, Justice Kuldip Singh passed away on 25-11-2024 at the age of 92 years. An icon in the legal world, Late Justice Kuldip Singh left a remarkable legacy in the field of Environmental Law. His drive to follow the noble principles embedded in the legal profession and desire to answer the call of imparting justice was visible in several landmark decisions, which formed the pillars of Environmental Jurisprudence in India.