D. Y. Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India (CJI), on behalf of the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended two other judges to be permanently appointed as judges to Gauhati High Court.
Justices B.R. Gavai and Sanjiv Khanna are also members of this committee and they have proposed another term for one year from July 29, 2024, as an additional judge of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court to Justice Rajesh Sekhri.
“…the Collegium resolves to recommend that Shri/Smt./Ms. Susmita Phukan Khaund, and Smt. Mitali Thakuria, Additional Judges be appointed as Permanent Judges of the Gauhati High Court against existing vacancies,” stated a Collegium resolution posted on the official website of the Supreme Court.
This said that all these names were recommended by the Collegium of Gauhati High Court unanimously on April 1 for permanent Judge appointments.
It added that “this recommendation has been accepted by the Chief Ministers of Assam, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh States along with Governor’s Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.”
The Collegium pointed out that while assessing qualifications and suitability for appointment as permanent judges two additional judges from merit, it considered information available including opinions given by consultee-judges and judgment evaluation committee report.
Therefore according to a May 17th resolution from the Collegium; “In light of foregoing observation it may be held that….Shri/Smt./Ms. Susmita Phukan Khaund (Additional Judge) is suitable/fit to advice or decide questions on law,”
In another resolution passed separately by the Supreme Court Collegium it was noted that in its meeting held on April 23rd 20XX; The Collegium resolved in its separate resolution advising the appointment of Justice Rajesh Sekhri as an Additional Judge for another fresh term since there is no permanent judge’s vacancy against which he could be considered.
In light of this, the Supreme Court Collegium has resolved to recommend that Justice Rajesh Sekhri should be appointed as an additional judge of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court of one year with effect from July 29, 2024.
