Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Appointment Of Advocates As Judges To Karnataka, Bombay And Madras High Courts

The Supreme Court Collegium comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sanjiv Khanna has recommended the appointment of Advocates as Judges of the Madras, Bombay and Karnataka High Courts.

The following have been recommended for appointment as High Court Judges:

1. Advocates N Senthilkumar and G Arul Murugan as Judges of Madras High Court

2. Advocate Kurubarahalli Venkataramareddy Aravind as Judge of Karnataka Hgh Court

3. Advocate Manjusha Ajay Deshpande as Judge of Bombay High Court

The notifications dated July 18 2023, read, “In view of the above, the Collegium resolves to recommend that (i) Shri N Senthilkumar and (ii) Shri G Arul Murugan, Advocates, be appointed as Judges of the Madras High Court. Their inter se seniority be fixed in terms of the existing practice…The Collegium of the Supreme Court recommended the name of Shri Kurubarahalli Venkataramareddy Aravind, Advocate, for appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Karnataka…The Collegium of the Supreme Court recommended the name of Smt Manjusha Ajay Deshpande, Advocate, for appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Bombay”.

N Senthilkumar, Advocate

Mr. Senthilkumar is 55 years old with over 26 years of standing at the Bar. He has been on the panel of government in various positions on different occasions and has good practice which is reflected in his average professional income. He also belongs to a scheduled caste and therefore his appointment as a judge of the High Court will enhance the representation of marginalised communities.

The notification dated July 18, 2023 reads, "The candidate has a standing of over twenty eight years at the Bar. He has experience of appearing before the Sessions Court and the Madras High Court. He has been practising in constitutional, criminal, service and civil cases. His field of specialisation is criminal and constitutional law. He has been on the panel of government in various positions on different occasions. He is fifty-two years of age and has a good practice which is reflected in his average professional income and the thirty reported judgments in cases in which he has appeared. The candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste. His appointment as a judge of the High Court will enhance the representation on the Bench to marginalised communities. Having regard to the above factors, the Collegium is of the considered opinion that Shri N Senthilkumar is suitable for elevation to the Madras High Court".

G Arul Murugan, Advocate

Mr. Murugan has experience of 24 years at the bar and specialises in civil, criminal and writ cases. He has appeared in cases resulting in 75 reportable judgements. He belongs to the OBC category and therefore, his appointment as a judge of the High Court will facilitate greater representation of marginalised communities.

The notification reads, "The candidate has experience of over twenty four years at the Bar. He has appeared before the Madras High Court and various Tribunals. He has specialised in civil, criminal and writ cases. He has a good practice at the Bar and has appeared in cases resulting in seventy five reported judgments. The candidate belongs to the OBC category. His appointment as a judge will facilitate greater representation to the OBCs in appointment to the higher judiciary".

Kurubarahalli Venkataramareddy Aravind, Advocate

Mr. Aravind has a standing of 23 years at the bar with a specialization in Tax Litigation. He has appeared in cases resulting in 567 reported judgements. 

The notification reads, “The candidate has a standing of nearly twenty-three years at the Bar. He has appeared before the High Court as Standing Counsel for various departments of the State government. He has appeared in cases resulting in 567 reported judgments. This, coupled with his average professional income is an indicator of his experience. There is a considerable amount of tax litigation before the Karnataka High Court. There is a need for specialized judges having domain experience in this branch of law. Tax law is integrally connected with various other branches of law including commercial, corporate and personal law”.

Manjusha Ajay Deshpande, Advocate

Mrs. Deshpande has a standing of 32 years at the bar and specialises in several branches of law, particularly in constitutional and service matters. Her elevation would add to the representation of women in the Higher Judiciary.

The notification reads, “She has been in practice, since 1991, for over thirty two years. The candidate is well versed in several branches of law particularly in constitutional and service matters. She has been on the panel of the government since 2013. The elevation of the candidate would add to the representation of women on the Bench of the High Court of Bombay particularly amongst women lawyers practicing before the Bench at Aurangabad. Keeping in view the above aspects and on considering the proposal for her elevation, the Collegium is of the considered opinion that Smt. Manjusha Ajay Deshpande is fit and suitable for appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Bombay”.

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