NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Monday administered the oath of office to five new judges of the Supreme Court.
President Droupadi Murmu signed the warrants of appointing five new judges to the Supreme Court on Saturday.
The five judges — Justices Pankaj Mithal, Sanjay Karol, P V Sanjay Kumar, Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Manoj Misra — were administered the oath during a swearing-in ceremony held in the Supreme Court premises.
On February 3, an apex court bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul gave a word of caution to the Centre saying that things would get “uncomfortable” if the government continues to delay judicial appointments and transfers.
Justice Kaul had told Centre, “If you keep them pending… you will make us take some very, very difficult decisions.” With the appointment of five judges, the total number of judges in the apex court has risen to 32, two short of the full strength.
Their names were recommended for elevation as apex court judges by the Supreme Court Collegium on 13 December, 2022.
The Supreme Court has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges.
The Supreme Court Collegium on January 31 recommended two more names for elevation to the apex court. These two names are Allahabad High Court’s Justice Rajesh Bindal and Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Aravind Kumar. (Agencies)