The Supreme Court Collegium on Monday gave its approval for the appointment of six Additional Judges of the Bombay High Court as permanent Judges. This decision marks a significant step in strengthening the judiciary in Maharashtra and Goa.
Judges Elevated to Permanent Status
The six judges who have been elevated are Justices Nivedita Mehta, Prafulla Khubalkar, Ashwin Bhobe, Rohit Joshi, Advait Sethna, and Pravin Patil. With this elevation, the number of permanent judges in the Bombay High Court has increased to 58 out of a total sanctioned strength of 94 judges.
Current Vacancies and Strength
As of now, the Bombay High Court has a vacancy of 16 judges, with an approved strength of 94. The court currently has 78 judges serving across its benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, Goa, and Kolhapur. The process of appointing a new judge typically begins with an appointment as an Additional Judge, who is usually made permanent within two years.
This move is expected to help reduce the backlog of cases and improve the efficiency of the court. The Collegium's decision underscores the commitment to ensuring a robust judicial system in the region.
