The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the Center to possibly elevate Delhi High Court Chief Justice Manmohan to the apex court. Supreme Court sources said the five-member collegium led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna held a meeting recently and decided to recommend Justice Manmohan for elevation to the Supreme Court. Other members of this collegium include Justice BR Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Harikesh Roy and Justice AS Oka.
At present there are 32 judges in the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice. The recognized strength of judges in the apex court is 34. There are two vacancies in the apex court after the retirement of Justice Hima Kohli and former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. To fill both these posts, the collegium has suggested the name of Justice Manmohan.
Justice Manmohan was to retire on 16 December
Justice Manmohan was to retire on 16 December 2024. According to the Constitution, the age of retirement of a High Court judge is 62 years and Justice Manmohan will turn 62 on December 16. However, if he gets promotion in the Supreme Court, he can serve for the next three years. The retirement age of a Supreme Court judge is 65 years. In such a situation, if Justice Manmohan is appointed in the Supreme Court, he will be able to serve till 2027.
Who is Justice Manmohan
Justice Manmohan was sworn in as the 32nd Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on September 29. Before that, on November 9, 2023, he was appointed the acting Chief Justice of the same court. Justice Manmohan (61) is the son of late Jagmohan. Jagmohan was a bureaucrat and later entered politics. Jagmohan served as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
Became part of Delhi High Court in 2008
Image Credit: India-Tv.