From the Editor's Desk

On Thursday, the Centre issued notifications implementing last month’s Supreme Court Collegium recommendations, appointing two High Court judges as Chief Justices and approving the transfer of another Chief Justice.

Justice Soumen Sen, currently Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, has been transferred to the Kerala High Court. The transfer will take effect after the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on January 9, 2026.

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Following Justice Sen’s transfer, Justice Revati P. Mohite Dere, a judge of the Bombay High Court, has been appointed Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.

In a separate notification, Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, a judge of the Orissa High Court, has been elevated and appointed Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.

Recommendations still pending

On December 18, the Collegium had recommended six names for elevation and transfer. With Thursday’s notifications covering three of them, recommendations relating to the following three judges remain pending with the Centre:

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• Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta (Allahabad High Court) — recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court; the post is expected to arise after the incumbent Chief Justice retires on January 9, 2026.

• Justice M.S. Sonak (Bombay High Court) — recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court; the post is set to fall vacant on January 8, 2026.

• Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque (Kerala High Court) — recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court.