Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Appointment Of Two Women As Gauhati HC Judges

The collegium comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai has passed a resolution which reveals that the names have been suggested on the strength of the high court collegium's May 2023 recommendations that underwent meticulous scrutiny and evaluation last October. The resolution also states that further consideration was deferred to seek a comprehensive report from the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court. This report, compiled in consultation with members of the high court collegium, aimed to provide insights into the suitability of the candidates, in light of inputs from the government. The chief justice, in letters dated October 19, 2023, and November 7, 2023, forwarded the minutes of the collegium, shedding light on the candidates' suitability.

Pursuant to the Memorandum of Procedure, judges of the Supreme Court, well-versed in the affairs of the Gauhati High Court, were consulted to assess the fitness and suitability of Jahan and Longkumer. Finally, after careful consideration of these inputs the high court collegium's recommendation, it was determined that that the two are eminently suitable for appointment as judges of the Gauhati High Court. The Collegium officially resolved to recommend their appointments, with their inter se seniority to be fixed in accordance with existing practice.

The Gauhati High Court currently has 23 judges, against the total sanctioned strength of 24 judges, among whom only four are women.

Read the collegium resolution here.