Karnataka HC Gets Three New Additional Judges in Oath Ceremony
Synopsis
Three additional judges — Justice Usharani, Justice Kuruba Shantappa Bharat Kumar, and Justice Nerale Veerabhadrappa Bhavani — were sworn in at the Karnataka High Court on 25 September 2026, with Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot administering the oath at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru.
Key Takeaways
Three new additional judges — Justice Usharani , Justice Kuruba Shantappa Bharat Kumar , and Justice Nerale Veerabhadrappa Bhavani — were sworn in to the Karnataka High Court on 25 September 2026 .
Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot administered the oath of office at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru .
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar attended the ceremony and congratulated the newly sworn judges.
Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru , Legislative Council Chairman Saleem Ahmed , and Chief Secretary Dr.
Shalini Rajneesh were also present.
Additional judge appointments under Article 224 are a constitutional mechanism to manage case pendency; elevation to permanent judgeships depends on future Supreme Court collegium review.
Three new additional judges joined the Karnataka High Court bench on Friday, 25 September 2026, as Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot administered the oath of office at a formal swearing-in ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru — reinforcing the state's commitment to strengthening its judicial infrastructure.
The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka confirmed that Justice Usharani, Justice Kuruba Shantappa Bharat Kumar, and Justice Nerale Veerabhadrappa Bhavani were inducted as additional judges of the court. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who was present at the ceremony, extended his congratulations to all three newly sworn-in judges.
Who Was in the Room at Lok Bhavan
The ceremony brought together the senior-most pillars of Karnataka's constitutional order under one roof. Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Saleem Ahmed, Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Vibhu Bakhru, and Chief Secretary to the Government Dr. Shalini Rajneesh were among the dignitaries present. The gathering reflected the weight the state attaches to judicial appointments — these are not quiet bureaucratic events.
Why Additional Judges Matter for Karnataka's Courts
Additional judges are appointed to High Courts under Article 224 of the Constitution, a mechanism designed specifically to manage rising case pendency and temporary workload surges. Their tenure is typically limited — often up to two years — after which the Supreme Court collegium evaluates elevation to permanent judgeships. Karnataka's High Court, like most in India, carries a substantial docket, making every new bench addition consequential for litigants waiting on decisions.
The appointments flow through the collegium system: recommendations originate with the Chief Justice's collegium, travel to the Supreme Court collegium, and are then formalised by the President of India before the Governor administers the oath. The presence of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru at the ceremony underscores the collegium's direct stake in welcoming the newest members of the bench.
Three new judges sworn in on a single afternoon is a meaningful step toward plugging gaps in the court's working strength — and for the thousands of cases pending before the Karnataka High Court, the bench just got a little less stretched.
Point of View
Which — like most state High Courts — wrestles with a significant pendency burden. The appointments, routed through the collegium system, also reflect the continuing constitutional choreography between the judiciary and the executive: the Governor administers the oath, but the names come from the Chief Justice's collegium. For Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, visible presence at such ceremonies reinforces the state government's posture as a cooperative partner in judicial administration. Whether these additional judges are eventually elevated to permanent positions will be the real measure of the collegium's confidence in their tenure.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the three new additional judges sworn in to the Karnataka High Court in September 2026?
The three new additional judges are Justice Usharani , Justice Kuruba Shantappa Bharat Kumar , and Justice Nerale Veerabhadrappa Bhavani , all sworn in on 25 September 2026 .
Who administered the oath to the new Karnataka High Court judges?
Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot administered the oath of office at the ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru .
What is an additional judge in the High Court and how are they appointed?
Additional judges are appointed under Article 224 of the Constitution to manage case pendency and increased workload. They are recommended by the collegium system and typically serve for up to two years before possible elevation to permanent judgeships.
Was Chief Minister DK Shivakumar present at the swearing-in ceremony?
Yes, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar attended the ceremony at Lok Bhavan and extended his congratulations to all three newly sworn-in judges.
Who is the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court?
Justice Vibhu Bakhru is the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court and was present at the swearing-in ceremony on 25 September 2026 .
