SC Collegium Recommends Five Judges for Appointment as New Chief Justices In High Courts
Kiran Raj
New Delhi, May 26, 2025 —The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the elevation of five judges to the post of Chief Justice in different High Courts. The decision was taken during the Collegium meeting held on May 26, 2025.
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, presently serving in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, has been recommended for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Born on December 26, 1964, in Delhi, Justice Sachdeva completed his legal education from Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi. He enrolled as an advocate in 1988 and later qualified as an Advocate-on-Record in the Supreme Court in 1995. He represented the Bar Council of India and the Union of India for over two decades and was designated as a Senior Advocate in 2011. He was elevated as a judge of the Delhi High Court in 2013 and became permanent in 2015.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru
Justice Bakhru, also from the Delhi High Court, is recommended as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. Born in 1966 in Nagpur, he is a commerce graduate and a qualified Chartered Accountant. After completing his law degree in 1990, he began his legal practice in the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court. He was designated as a Senior Advocate in 2011 and appointed as a judge in 2013. He served as Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court from December 2024 to January 2025.
Justice Ashutosh Kumar
Justice Kumar, currently serving in the Patna High Court, is set to be elevated as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court. Born on October 1, 1966, he is an alumnus of St. Stephen’s College and Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. Starting his career at the Patna High Court in 1991, he has appeared in significant criminal cases, including those involving death penalty. He was elevated as a judge in 2014 and transferred to the Delhi High Court in 2015 before returning to Patna in 2017.
Justice Vipul M. Pancholi
Justice Pancholi, from the Patna High Court and originally from the Gujarat High Court, is recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. Born in 1968 in Ahmedabad, he holds a Master’s in Law and began practice in 1991. He served the Gujarat Government as Additional Public Prosecutor and held editorial and teaching positions. Elevated in 2014 and confirmed in 2016, he was transferred to the Patna High Court in July 2023.
Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan
Justice Chauhan, from the Himachal Pradesh High Court, is recommended as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, subject to vacancy arising due to transfer of the incumbent Chief Justice.
Born in 1964, he studied law at Punjab University and began practice in 1989. Prior to his elevation, he served as Legal Advisor to various state corporations. Elevated in 2014, he also held charge as Acting Chief Justice in 2023 and 2024.
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