The Central government has approved the elevation of Justice Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, to the Supreme Court of India. Law Minister Arjun Meghwal announced the development this afternoon on X. With these appointments, the Supreme Court, which has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, will now function at full strength, filling the two existing vacancies.
The recommendation for elevation was made by the Supreme Court Collegium, comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice JK Maheshwari, and Justice BV Nagarathna, in a meeting held on August 25. Justice Nagarathna reportedly dissented on the proposal to elevate Justice Pancholi.
Justice Alok Aradhe began his judicial career as an additional judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2009 and became a permanent judge in 2011. He was transferred to the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in 2016, serving as Acting Chief Justice for three months in 2018. In November 2018, he took oath as a judge of the Karnataka High Court and later served as its Acting Chief Justice in 2022. In July 2023, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, before being transferred to the Bombay High Court as Chief Justice in January 2025, where he currently serves.
Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, originally from the Gujarat High Court, began practicing law in September 1991. He was elevated as an additional judge on October 1, 2014, and confirmed as a permanent judge in June 2016. He was transferred to the Patna High Court in July 2023 amid controversy, with the Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association (GHCAA) opposing the move while praising his credentials and noting that he had disposed of over 35,000 matters. Despite the opposition, the transfer was effected. Born on May 28, 1968, Justice Pancholi has built a long and distinguished career, noted for efficiency and judicial acumen.
With these elevations, the Supreme Court will now operate at full complement, ensuring smoother functioning amid a rising judicial workload and continuing its crucial role as the apex forum for justice in the country.
Picture Source :
