On 10-3-2025, the Ministry of Law and Justice notified the appointment of sitting Judge of Calcutta High Court, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, as Judge of Supreme Court of India. Justice Bagchi was appointed by the President of India in exercise of powers under Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, CJI, in its meeting held on 06-3-2025, discussed the names of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of the High Courts eligible for appointment to the Supreme Court. After carefully evaluating merit, integrity and competence and also accommodating a plurality of considerations, the Collegium recommended the appointment of Justice Joymalya Bagchi, as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi has served as a Judge of the High Court for more than 13 years. During his long tenure as a Judge of the High Court and has acquired significant experience in diverse fields of law.
The Collegium had considered that, at present, the Bench of the Supreme Court is represented by only one Judge from the High Court at Calcutta and Justice Joymalya Bagchi stands at Sl. No. 11 in the combined all-India seniority of High Court Judges, including Chief Justices.
The Collegium had further observed that after the retirement of Justice Altamas Kabir in 2013 as Chief Justice of India, there has not been any Chief Justice of India from the High Court at Calcutta.
*Did you Know? On the retirement of Justice K.V. Viswanathan in May 2031, Justice Joymalya Bagchi would be in line to assume office as the Chief Justice of India till his retirement on 02-10-2031.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi would have a tenure of more than six years before he assumes the office of the Chief Justice of India.
With the appointment of Justice Bagchi, the judges’ strength of the Supreme Court will rise to 33 Judges out of sanctioned strength of 34 Judges. Upon the retirement of Justice Hrishikesh Roy on 31-1-2025, the strength of the Court receded to 32 Judges.