Centre Appoints New Chief Justices in High Courts of Bombay & Andhra Pradesh

Centre Appoints New Chief Justices in High Courts of Bombay & Andhra Pradesh

The Union government has appointed new Chief Justices in the High Courts of Bombay and Andhra Pradesh.

As per a notification issued by the Central government, the President of India, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, has appointed Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

The notification further stated that the President of India, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, has appointed Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

During the meeting held on 5 July, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the elevation of Justice Devendra Upadhyaya of the Allahabad High Court as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

The Collegium in its resolution had noted that Justice Upadhyaya has acquired 11 years of experience in dispensing justice and his appointment would provide a representation of the Allahabad High Court among the Chief Justices.

The retirement of former Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Justice R.D. Dhanuka had created a vacancy on 30 May, 2023. Currently, Justice Nitin Jamdar is the Acting Chief Justice of the Court.

Justice Upadhyaya was elevated as a judge of the Allahabad High Court on 21 November, 2011.

Additionally, in the same resolution on 5 July, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the name of Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur of the Bombay High Court for elevation as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

The Office of the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court was vacant on 19 May, after the elevation of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra to the Supreme Court.

Justice Thakur was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on 8 March, 2013. He is now the senior-most Judge in his parent High Court. He was transferred to the Bombay High Court in June 2022.

On 9 February, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Justice Thakur’s name for elevation as Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, which has been pending with the Central government.

The Collegium noted that Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur was fit and suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

It added that on the appointment of Justice Thakur, the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court would get representation among the Chief Justices of the High Courts.