Agartala, Feb 12, 2023, By Special Correspondent
Agartala, Feb 12: Justice Jaswant Singh, Judge, Orissa High Court, has been elevated as chief justice of the Tripura High Court. He is among the chief justices appointed to four high courts.
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted these appointments on Sunday. "As per the relevant provisions under the Constitution of India, the following Judges are appointed as Chief Justices of different High Courts. I extend best wishes to all of them!” he wrote on Twitter.
Justice Singh is due to retire on February 22. While SC judges retire at 65, HC judges demit office on attaining the age of 62 years.
The office of the Tripura HC chief justice has been lying vacant for some time following retirement of Justice Indrajit Mahanty.
Lawyers, members of various Bar Associations of Tripura had written to CJI DY Chandrachud requesting him to take steps to fill the vacant posts of judges at Tripura High Court, which has a sanctioned strength of 5 judges but was functioning with only 2 judges including the Acting Chief Justice due to transfers and retirements. The representation was signed by 258 advocates.
Justice Sonia Giridhar Gokani, Judge of the Gujarat High Court, was appointed its chief justice.
She was appointed acting chief justice of the Gujarat High Court on Friday after its chief justice Aravind Kumar was elevated to the Supreme Court.
Justice Sandeep Mehta, Judge, Rajasthan High Court has been appointed as chief justice of the Gauhati High Court.
Justice N Kotiswar Singh, Judge, Gauhati High Court has been made chief justice of the High Court of J-K and Ladakh.
The Supreme Court recently expressed displeasure over the Centre's delay in clearing recommendations for transfer of some high court judges, saying it was a very serious issue.
Rijiju, however, maintained, there is "no timeline" prescribed in the Memorandum of Procedure for transfer of high court judges.
The Law Minister informed the Lok Sabha last week that the Memorandum of Procedure guides the appointment, elevation and transfer of judges of the Supreme Court and 25 high courts.
He said that all transfers are to be made in "public interest" and for promoting better administration of justice throughout the country.
The minister also said proposals for transfer of 10 high court judges are under various stages of processing.