In a significant development at India’s apex judicial forum, two judges took their oath of office at a ceremony held in the auditorium of the Supreme Court’s extension building on Friday.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai personally administered the oath to Chief Justice Alok Aradhe of Bombay High Court and Chief Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi of Patna High Court, bringing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court bench to its full complement of 34 judges.
The President filled the two vacant posts in the Supreme Court through a notification.
The collegium recommended the notification, and the authorities issued it by exercising powers under Article 124(3) of the Indian Constitution.
The five-member collegium comprised CJI Gavai and Justices Suryakant, Vikram Nath, JK Maheshwari, and BV Nagarathna.
Justice Pancholi’s Future as Chief Justice Raises Collegium Concerns
Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi is expected to assume the position of Chief Justice of India by October 2031. Moreover, he is set to serve as the top judicial authority for about two years. However, his appointment has not been without controversy.
Justice BV Nagarathna expressed dissent by filing a note regarding Pancholi’s transfer and elevation.
Justice Nagarathna highlighted that Justice Pancholi’s transfer from the Gujarat High Court to the Patna High Court in 2023 was a sensitive matter. Therefore, it required careful consideration and consultation with other judges.
She demanded access to documents related to this transfer. She emphasised that the appointment could potentially impact the credibility of the collegium system and adversely affect judicial administration.
Born on April 13, 1964, in Jabalpur, Justice Alok Aradhe’s distinguished career spans multiple high courts. He has served as a judge at the Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, and Madhya Pradesh High Courts.
After his initial appointment in Madhya Pradesh in 2009, he became a permanent judge in 2021. Subsequently, on July 23, 2023, he took oath as Chief Justice of Telangana High Court before moving on to serve as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.
Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi was born on May 28, 1968, in Ahmedabad. He holds a science degree in Electronics from St Xavier’s College and a postgraduate law degree from Sir LA Shah Law College. He began practising law in 1991 at the Gujarat High Court.
The collegium appointed Pancholi as an additional judge in October 2014 and confirmed him as a permanent judge in June 2016. He later transferred to Patna High Court in July 2023, where authorities appointed him Chief Justice in July 2025.
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