Sunday, the Center announced the appointment of Chief Justices to the High Courts of Gujarat, Tripura, Gauhati, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Justice Sonia Giridhar Gokani has been appointed the first female chief justice of the Gujarat High Court. Justice Sandeep Mehta has been selected as the new Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, while Justice Jaswant Singh has been chosen as the new Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court. Justice N Kotiswar Singh has been appointed to the position of chief justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
The Supreme Court Collegium recommended the elevation of Justice Gokhani on February 9. On February 25 she is scheduled to retire as the most senior judge of the HC.
The Collegium, in recommending her nomination, had highlighted that, as a member of the Gujarat state judicial service, she would “enable a representation of judges recruited from the services in the office of the Chief Justice”
On February 8, the Collegium recommended the elevation of Justice Mehta of the Rajasthan High Court to Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court.
It had previously suggested Justice K Vinod Chandran of the Kerala High Court to become Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court. This was eventually revoked, and Justice Chandran was recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
Similarly, the Collegium had previously suggested that Justice Jaswant Singh, the most senior judge on the Orissa High Court, be nominated as Chief Justice of the same court. Later, the recommendation was retracted and his name was presented as Tripura High Court chief.
