SC Collegium Recommends Elevation Of Two Judicial Officers As Judges Of Patna HC

The names of these two judicial officers were forwarded to the Supreme Court Collegium by the Patna High Court Collegium on May 7 of this year. Both the Chief Minister and Governor of Bihar have also expressed their agreement with these recommendations.

In line with the Memorandum of Procedure, the Collegium consulted judges of the Supreme Court who are familiar with the workings of the Patna High Court to assess the candidates' fitness and suitability for elevation. Additionally, the inputs from the Union Department of Justice were taken into account during this evaluation.

Regarding Shashi Bhushan Prasad Singh, it was noted that he currently serves as the Registrar (Vigilance) in the High Court. He has established a positive personal and professional reputation, with no adverse remarks concerning his integrity.

Similarly, the Collegium made favorable observations about Ashok Kumar Pandey, who is presently the Director of the Bihar Judicial Academy.

Consequently, the Collegium deemed both candidates suitable for appointment as judges of the Patna High Court. It also acknowledged, “While considering the above proposal, we have also taken note of the fact that the above proposal involves non-recommendation of some senior judicial officers. Cogent/good reasons have been recorded by the Collegium of the High Court for not recommending their names. We are, therefore, in agreement with the High Court Collegium for overlooking them.”

The notification dated September 24, 2024 read, “In view of the above, the Collegium resolves to recommend that S/Shri (i) Shashi Bhushan Prasad Singh, and (ii) Ashok Kumar Pandey, Judicial Officers, be appointed as Judges of the High Court of Judicature at Patna. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice.”