SC Collegium Names New Chief Justices for Rajasthan, MP, J&K and Chhattisgarh
The five-member Supreme Court Collegium, headed by the Chief Justice of India, on Monday recommended new Chief Justices for the High Courts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and Chhattisgarh. The recommendations come amid a controversy surrounding the acting Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court, who has recused himself from judicial work after allegations were raised by a Supreme Court judge.
The Collegium, comprising Justices Vikram Nath, B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh and P S Narasimha, along with the CJI, recommended the appointment of Justice Sanjay K Agrawal, currently a judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. This appointment assumes significance as the acting Chief Justice, S P Sharma, has stepped aside from judicial duties following allegations concerning his integrity.
The controversy began when Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta wrote three letters to the Chief Justice of India within two weeks, urging the appointment of a regular Chief Justice to the Rajasthan High Court. The letters triggered protests by advocates at the High Court premises, who shouted slogans against the acting Chief Justice. Later, Justice Sharma recused himself from judicial work, and on Monday evening the Collegium finalised the recommendation for Justice Agrawal's appointment.
Interestingly, the first resolution of the Collegium initially recommended only the transfer of Justice Sanjay Agrawal to the Rajasthan High Court without specifying his appointment as Chief Justice. A subsequent resolution, also uploaded on the Supreme Court's official website, confirmed that he would be appointed as the Chief Justice of that High Court.
In addition to Rajasthan, the Collegium recommended the appointment of Justice Alpesh Yeshwant Kogje, a judge of the Gujarat High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, currently a judge of the Rajasthan High Court, was recommended for the post of Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
For Chhattisgarh, the Collegium recommended Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra as the next Chief Justice. This appointment follows the impending retirement of the current Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court, Justice Ramesh Sinha, who is set to demit office on September 4.
Justice S P Sharma, who has been at the centre of the storm, is scheduled to retire on September 26. The Collegium's recommendations are now forwarded to the central government for approval. Once cleared, the President of India will issue the formal appointments.
The collegium system, which operates under the Constitution, has been the subject of debate for decades, with critics questioning its lack of transparency and advocates defending its role in safeguarding judicial independence. This latest round of appointments underscores the ongoing effort to fill leadership positions in High Courts across the country.
Legal experts note that the swift action by the Collegium in Rahul's case reflects the urgency of ensuring stable leadership in the judiciary. The appointments are expected to bring clarity and administrative efficiency to the respective High Courts.
