
The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana, recommended nine names to the federal government for appointment as Supreme Court justices. Three female judges are among those named, as is B V Nagarathna of the Karnataka High Court, who, if raised, may become the country's first Chief Justice in 2027.
According to various media reports, two additional female justices are Justice Hima Kohli, the Telangana High Court Chief Justice, and Justice Bela Trivedi of the Gujarat High Court.
Reports further state that senior lawyer PS Narsimha is Collegium's top pick for direct promotion to the Supreme Court. His suggestion comes less than a week after the retirement of Justice Rohinton F Nariman, India's first sixth lawyer to be appointed directly from the bar.
The list includes Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Gujarat and Sikkim High Court Chief Justices Vikram Nath and J K Maheshwar, respectively.
Justice Oka, the country's senior-most High Court judge, is well-known for his civil liberties rulings. During the Covid-19 epidemic, he made news by issuing many directives directed at the wellbeing of migratory workers. In the majority of these instances, Justice Oka sat on the bench with Justice Nagarathna, who questioned the government's handling of the issue.
Similarly, Justice Nath made news after questioning the government's response to the pandemic—he expressed many concerns, including a lack of hospital beds and the supply of critical medicines, particularly during the second Covid-19 wave. He was also the first to offer the first-ever live courtroom webcast, airing the Covid crisis hearings on YouTube.
Justice C T Ravikumar, the second most senior judge on the Kerala High Court, and Justice M M Sundaresh, the third most senior judge on the Madras High Court, are both on the list for promotion.
Stay updated with the Breaking News Today and Latest News from across India and around the world. Get real-time updates, in-depth analysis, and comprehensive coverage of India News, World News, Indian Defence News, Kerala News, and Karnataka News. From politics to current affairs, follow every major story as it unfolds. Get real-time updates from IMD on major cities weather forecasts, including Rain alerts, Cyclone warnings, and temperature trends. Download the Asianet News Official App from the Android Play Store and iPhone App Store for accurate and timely news updates anytime, anywhere.