The Centre has officially notified the appointment of Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran, Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India. This elevation follows the recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium on January 7, 2025, and the subsequent approval by the President of India.
The notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice states, "In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the Hon'ble President of India is pleased to appoint Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran, Chief Justice, Patna High Court, as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India, with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office."
Justice Chandran’s journey to the Supreme Court comes after a distinguished career in the judiciary. Appointed as a Judge of the Kerala High Court in November 2011, he was later elevated to the position of Chief Justice of the Patna High Court in March 2023. With over 11 years of experience as a judge and more than a year as Chief Justice, Justice Chandran has earned widespread recognition for his legal acumen across a diverse range of legal fields.
In its recommendation, the Collegium took into account the lack of representation from the Kerala High Court on the Supreme Court Bench. Justice Chandran is ranked 13th in the combined all-India seniority of High Court judges and stands first among the judges from Kerala. His appointment brings representation from Kerala back to the Supreme Court following the retirement of Justice CT Ravikumar.
The Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, shared the news on social media, noting, "In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran, Chief Justice, Patna High Court, as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India."
Justice Chandran’s appointment brings the total strength of the Supreme Court to 33 out of a sanctioned 34 judges. The legal community anticipates that his extensive experience and insights will significantly contribute to the Supreme Court’s workings in the years to come.
Additionally, with Justice Chandran's elevation, Justice Ashutosh Kumar has been appointed to temporarily take over the duties of Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. This transition will occur as soon as Justice Chandran assumes his office in the Supreme Court.
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