Delhi High Court Welcomes Two New Judges, Total Strength Reaches 37
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New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) The oath of office was administered by Acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru on Wednesday to advocates Ajay Digpaul and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, who have been appointed as judges of the Delhi High Court.
With these two new appointments, the Delhi High Court now has a total strength of 37 judges, with a sanctioned limit of 60.
On Monday, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal announced on X that President Droupadi Murmu has officially appointed advocates Digpaul and Shankar to this esteemed position.
In a notification from the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, it was stated: "In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint S/Shri (i) Ajay Digpaul and (ii) Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar to be Judges of the Delhi High Court, in that order of seniority, with effect from the date they assume charge of their respective offices."
Last August, the Supreme Court Collegium, led by former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, recommended the elevation of advocates Digpaul, Shankar, and Shwetasree Majumder as judges in the Delhi High Court.
The apex court's Collegium noted that it consulted other Supreme Court judges familiar with the workings of the Delhi High Court to evaluate the appropriateness and qualifications of these candidates, reviewing the feedback from the Department of Justice along with other materials.
Advocate Digpaul has a rich background with 31 years of experience across various legal domains, including civil, criminal, constitutional, labour, company, service, and commercial law, and has contributed to 42 reported judgments of the Delhi High Court.
The Supreme Court Collegium remarked: "Our sole consultee-Judge has given a positive opinion on the suitability of the candidate for appointment as a Judge of the High Court. The inputs provided by the Department of Justice in the file indicate that his professional competence is viewed to be good and there is nothing adverse regarding his integrity."
Advocate Shankar boasts significant experience as well, with 180 reported judgments attributed to cases he has argued. The Collegium confirmed that the inputs from the Department of Justice reflect positively on his professional competence and integrity.
However, the appointment of advocate Majumder, whose elevation was also recommended, remains pending notification from the Centre.
