Supreme Court Welcomes Justices Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will swear in Justices Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan as new Supreme Court judges, restoring the full strength of 34 judges. Their appointments bring representation to Manipur and a backward community from Tamil Nadu.

New Delhi [India], July 17 (ANI): Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud is set to administer the oath of office to Justices Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan as Supreme Court judges this Thursday. The President approved their appointments on July 16.

The addition of Singh and Mahadevan will restore the Supreme Court's full complement of 34 judges, including Chief Justice Chandrachud. The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Singh, Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, and Mahadevan, Acting Chief of the Madras High Court, for elevation.

Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh will make history as the first judge from Manipur to join the Supreme Court. 'This appointment provides representation to the North-East, specifically Manipur,' stated the Collegium's resolution.

The collegium, headed by Chief Justice Chandrachud and including Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant, and Hrishikesh Roy, also recommended Justice R Mahadevan. Mahadevan's elevation reflects efforts to diversify the Bench by including a member of a backward community from Tamil Nadu, the resolution noted.

Justice Mahadevan, who ranks third among currently serving judges of the Madras High Court, was prioritized to provide representation to a backward community. 'Considering these factors, the Collegium finds him suitable for a Supreme Court appointment,' the resolution added.

The vacancies in the Supreme Court arose following the retirements of Justice Aniruddha Bose on April 10, 2024, and Justice AS Bopanna on May 19, 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)