SC Collegium Recommends New Chief Justices for Calcutta and Bombay HCs

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge of the Bombay High Court as the next Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. This move will see the senior Maharashtra judge take charge of another major High Court if the Centre approves the recommendation.

The Collegium, in its resolution passed on August 6, has also recommended Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi of the Allahabad High Court as the next Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. The appointments will be formalised after the Central government clears them and issues notifications.

ACJ Ghuge was appointed Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court in June after then Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar was elevated to the Supreme Court. He has served as a judge of the Bombay High Court since June 2013 and has dealt with several important matters during his tenure, including cases concerning land, public health, administration, and civic issues.

One of his recent significant judgments was upholding the rights of a private company in a long-running dispute over its land in Thane. The court dismissed the State’s challenge to orders refusing to treat the entire land as private forest and directed the Thane Municipal Corporation to release statutory compensation to the landowner through Development Rights Certificates (DRCs/TDR) within 21 days.

A bench headed by him also took suo motu cognisance of the strike by doctors in Maharashtra, following which the agitation was called off. In proceedings concerning malnutrition and water scarcity in Melghat, the bench issued directions to ensure regular water supply to affected villages through tankers.

Justice Tripathi, who is the second-senior-most judge of the Allahabad High Court, has been recommended as the next Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. If approved, ACJ Ghuge will succeed Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, who is currently the Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.

ACJ Ghuge began practising in 1990 before the Bombay High Court and industrial and labour courts. He initially represented workers and unions before later appearing for several large industries and multinational companies. He was elevated to the High Court in 2013.

The hearing in the Maratha reservation issue in Maharashtra, which is already being re-heard for the second time, will have to be commenced for a third time, after the Centre clears ACJ’s elevation.

The recommendations by the SC Collegium are subject to approval by the Central government. Once approved, the appointments will be formalised, and the new Chief Justices will take charge of their respective High Courts.

The move is significant, as it will see a change in leadership at two major High Courts in the country. The Calcutta High Court and the Bombay High Court are among the oldest and most prestigious High Courts in India, and the new Chief Justices will play a crucial role in shaping the judiciary in their respective states.

The development is also being closely watched by the legal community, as it will have implications for the administration of justice in Maharashtra and West Bengal. The new Chief Justices will be responsible for ensuring that justice is delivered efficiently and effectively, and that the High Courts continue to uphold the rule of law.

In conclusion, the recommendations by the SC Collegium are an important development in the Indian judiciary. The new Chief Justices will have a significant impact on the administration of justice in their respective states, and their appointments will be closely watched by the legal community and the general public.

The move is a significant one for Mumbai, as it will see a change in leadership at the Bombay High Court. The new Chief Justice will play a crucial role in shaping the judiciary in the state, and will be responsible for ensuring that justice is delivered efficiently and effectively.

The development is also significant for the country as a whole, as it will have implications for the administration of justice at the national level. The new Chief Justices will be responsible for upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is delivered in a fair and impartial manner.

Overall, the recommendations by the SC Collegium are an important development in the Indian judiciary, and will have significant implications for the administration of justice in Maharashtra and West Bengal.