Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay Sworn In As Chief Justice Of Bombay High Court

Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay took oath as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court in the Durbar Hall of the Governor’s official residence at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai.

CJ Upadhyay was administered oath by the Governor Ramesh Bais in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

On July 6, the Supreme Court Collegium comprising of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, and Justice Sanjiv Khanna recommended the appointment of Justice Devendra Upadhyaya of the Allahabad High Court as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

The collegium noted that CJ Upadhyaya had acquired eleven years of experience in dispensing justice, and his appointment would provide representation of the Allahabad HC among the Chief Justices.

“On appointment of Mr Justice Upadhyaya, the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad which is the largest High Court with a total judge strength of 160 would get adequate representation among the Chief Justices of High Courts…the Collegium is of the considered view that Mr Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya is fit and suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay”.

The recommendation was made as the retirement of former Chief Justice of the Bombay HC Justice RD Dhanuka created a vacancy on May 30, 2023. Currently, Justice Nitin Jamdar is the Acting Chief Justice of the Court.

Justice Upadhyaya was elevated as a judge of the Allahabad HC on November 21, 2011, and is now the third senior most judge in the HC.

The appointment was as per para 3 of the Memorandum of Procedure for appointment of Chief Justice of a High Court, which provides that Chief Justices are appointed based on seniority subject to merit and integrity, with fair representation given to various High Courts.

The Centre notified CJ Upadhyay’s appoint earlier this week following which the oath ceremony took place at Raj Bhavan today.