SC Collegium Recommends Names Of Three High Court Chief Justices As Supreme Court Judges
The Supreme Court Collegium comprising of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice BR Gavai and Justice Surya Kant recommended the names of three Chief Justices to be appointed as the Judges of the Supreme Court.
The notification dated November 06, 2023 read, “After carefully evaluating the merit, integrity and competence of eligible Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of the High Courts and also accommodating a plurality of considerations, the Collegium finds the following persons to be deserving and suitable in all respects for being appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court of India:
- Mr Justice Satish Chandra Sharma,
Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi,
(PHC: Madhya Pradesh)
- Mr Justice Augustine George Masih,
Chief Justice, High Court of Rajasthan,
(PHC: Punjab & Haryana)
- Mr Justice Sandeep Mehta,
Chief Justice, Gauhati High Court,
(PHC: Rajasthan)
The Collegium, therefore, unanimously resolves to recommend that (i) Mr Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, (ii) Mr Justice Augustine George Masih, and (iii) Mr Justice Sandeep Mehta, be appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court of India.”
Justice Satish Chandra Sharma
Born on November 30, 1961, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Justice S.C. Sharma hails from an esteemed academic and agricultural background. His father, Dr. B.N. Sharma, was a respected professor and Vice Chancellor of Barkatullah University, while his mother, Smt. Shanti Sharma, served as a Principal and District Education Officer.
Justice S.C. Sharma commenced his education at Christ Church Boys Higher Secondary School and completed his 10th and 12th standards at Central School, Jabalpur. He pursued Bachelor of Science at Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar, graduating in 1981 with distinction in three subjects. He received a National Merit Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies and earned his LLB degree in 1984 from the same university, securing three Gold Medals.
After being enrolled as an advocate in 1984, he practiced in Constitutional, Service, Civil, and Criminal matters before the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur. Recognized for his exceptional legal acumen, he was designated as a Senior Advocate by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at the age of 42.
In January 2008, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court and later became a Permanent Judge in January 2010. Throughout his career, he has been associated with National Law universities and has contributed significantly to legal education and research. He served in Karnataka High Court, where he was appointed as Acting Chief Justice in August 2021. Subsequently, he became the Chief Justice of Telangana High Court in October 2021 and was later transferred to Delhi High Court, where he assumed office as Chief Justice on June 28, 2022.
Justice Augustine George Masih
Born on March 12, 1963, in Ropar, Punjab, this accomplished individual completed initial schooling at St. Mary's Convent School, Kasauli (H.P.) and later finished school education at Saifuddin Tahir High School, Aligarh. Graduating with Honours in Science and subsequently in LL.B. from Aligarh Muslim University, they were enrolled as an Advocate by the Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana on June 06, 1987.
In their legal career, they practiced in various areas such as Constitutional Law, Service Law, Labour Law, and Civil Law. They appeared in courts including the Supreme Court, High Courts of Punjab and Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and other Courts and Tribunals. They held significant positions such as Assistant Advocate General, Deputy Advocate General, and Additional Advocate General in the office of Advocate General, Punjab.
On July 10, 2008, they were sworn in as an Additional Judge of Punjab & Haryana High Court and later became a Permanent Judge on January 14, 2011. Subsequently, on May 30, 2023, they took the oath as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
Justice Sandeep Mehta
Born on January 11, 1963. He practiced law in Trial Courts, High Court, and the Supreme Court, serving as Counsel for Commission in three Judicial Enquiry Commissions headed by retired and sitting Hon'ble Judges of the High Court. He was a member of the Bar Council of Rajasthan from 2003 to 2009 and later in 2009, holding the position of Vice-Chairman in 2004-2005 and Chairman in 2010.
Elevated as an Additional Judge of the Rajasthan High Court on May 30, 2011, he became a permanent Judge on February 6, 2013. On February 15, 2023, he took the oath as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court.
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