Centre notifies appointment of five advocates as Bombay High Court judges

According to the notification, the President, exercising the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 224 of the Constitution of India, has appointed Nivedita Prakash Mehta, Prafulla Surendrakumar Khubalkar, Ashwin Damodar Bhobe, Rohit Wasudeo Joshi, and Advait Mahendra Sethna as Additional Judges of the Bombay High Court.

Their appointments are for a period of two years, effective from the date they assume charge of their respective offices, as stated in the notification.

On September 24, the Supreme Court collegium, led by Chief Justice Dr DY Chandrachud and including Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai, recommended the appointment of Nivedita Prakash Mehta, Prafulla Surendrakumar Khubalkar, Ashwin Damodar Bhobe, Rohit Wasudeo Joshi, and Advait Mahendra Sethna as judges of the Bombay High Court.

The collegium noted that on January 19, 2024, the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, in consultation with his two senior-most colleagues, recommended the names of the mentioned advocates for appointment as judges.

The collegium also reviewed the views of the Chief Ministers and Governors of Maharashtra and Goa regarding this proposal before making its recommendation.

In order to ascertain the suitability of the above-named Advocates for elevation to the High Court, we have consulted our colleagues conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Bombay.

For the purpose of assessing the merit and suitability of the above candidates for elevation to the High Court, we have scrutinized and evaluated the material placed on record. We have also perused the observations made by the Department of Justice in the file, further noted the Collegium. (ANI)