Supreme Court gets five new judges, HC CJs on hold for now

Five new judges on Wednesday were appointed to the Supreme Court, taking its working strength to 28

Five new judges were appointed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday evening, taking the apex court’s working strength to 28 but still short of 31.

Five new judges on Wednesday were appointed to the Supreme Court, taking its working strength to 28. (HT File Photo)

Sources in the government said that the appointments of nine regular chief justices in different high courts are unlikely to be made this month. The Supreme Court collegium – a body of top five SC judges that recommends appointments to the higher judiciary -- had ealier this month sent separate recommendations for both SC and HC. The recommendations for the HCs have been circulated to the respective state chief ministers and governors for their comments.

President Pranab Mukherjee signed the Warrants of Appointment for the elevation of Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Rajasthan HC Chief Justice Naveen Sinha, Kerala HC Chief

Justice Mohan M Shantanagouder, Chhattisgarh HC Chief Justice Dipak Gupta and Karnataka HC judge S Abdul Nazeer.

The apex court worked for most of last year with 23 judges during Justice TS Thakur’s tenure as CJI. The newly appointed judges will take oath soon, ministry sources said.

Chief Justice of India J S Khehar, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice Prafulla Chandra Pant are retiring from the SC this year.