Five new judges appointed in Supreme court, strength rises to 32

NEW DELHI: Five judges took the oath of office as Supreme Court judges today after the central government approved the appointment as per the recommendation of the collegium. Supreme Court Chief Justice DY Chandrachud administered the oath in a ceremony held this morning. The Centre issued the appointment notification after the Supreme Court reacted strongly to the delay in the appointment of the judges recommended to the panel. President Draupadi Murmu signed the order appointing new judges on Saturday.

Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal, Patna High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Karol, Manipur High Court Chief Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, Patna High Court Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Allahabad High Court Justice Manoj Mishra have taken charge as Supreme Court judges.

With the induction of five new judges, the strength of judges in the Supreme Court has increased from 27 to 32. The total number of Supreme Court judges is 34. The collegium has recommended two names for the two vacant posts. The collegium has recommended Justice Rajesh Bindal of Allahabad High Court and Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court Aravind Kumar for the two vacant posts.

The collegium headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice DY Chandrachud recommended a panel of five high court judges to the central government on December 13. The court had expressed displeasure in delaying their appointment process the other day. Terming the matter as serious, the court advised the central government not to force itself to take unpleasant steps in the collegium's recommendations. Following this, Attorney General Venkataramani informed the court that action will be taken soon on the collegium recommendation to appoint five judges. Following this, the central government approved the appointment of judges.