Centre Notifies Appointment Of Advocate Manjusha Deshpande As Additional Judge Of Bombay High Court

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced her appointment on 'X', (formerly Twitter).

“In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 224 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Smt. Manjusha Ajay Deshpande, to be an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court for a period of two years with effect from the date she assumes charge of her office”, the notification read.

The Supreme Court Collegium recommended her name for appointment as a Judge of the Bombay High Court on July 18, 2023.

The Bombay HC Collegium had recommended her appointment on September 26, 2022, which was subsequently concurred by the Chief Ministers and Governors of Maharashtra and Goa.

However, on May 2, 2023, the Supreme Court Collegium deferred its decision in response to concerns raised by the Government and decided to seek a report from the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court.

As per the Memorandum of Procedure, Judges of the Supreme Court familiar with the affairs of the Bombay High Court were consulted to assess Deshpande's fitness and suitability for elevation. In addition to this, then Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay HC Justice SV Gangapurwala submitted a report on May 10, 2023 after discussing the matter with Judges at the Aurangabad Bench. The Supreme Court Collegium took all the material into consideration and found Advocate Deshpande fit for elevation.

The Collegium also considered that elevation of Advocate Deshpande as a Judge would contribute to better representation of women on the Bench of the Bombay HC, especially among women lawyers practicing before the Aurangabad Bench.