The High Court of Delhi got two new additional judges on Monday as Judicial officers Girish Kathpalia and Manoj Jain were sworn-in to the post by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.
The Chief Justice administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new additional judges at 10:00 am in Court Room No.1 of the High Court.
Taking in view the prevailing situation, the High Court held the swearing-in ceremony on a limited scale. It said after the ceremony, the Courts will assemble at 11:00 a.m.
President Draupadi Murmu had given her assent to the elevation of these two judicial officers on April 27.
On April 12, the Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and also comprising Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice K.M. Joseph, had recommended appointment of three judicial officers as judges of the Delhi High Court.
Though the elevation of Kathpalia and Jain was approved by the Central government, it was yet to clear the appointment of Dharmesh Sharma.
The Collegium had noted in its proposal that Kathpalia was the senior-most member of the Delhi Higher Judicial Service and also the Principal District and Sessions Judge of Tis Hazari Courts. It quoted a report of the Intelligence Bureau, which said that Kapthalia had a good ‘personal and professional image’ and that nothing adverse has come to notice against his integrity.
It further proposed elevation of Jain, stating that the Intelligence Bureau has reported the Principal District and Sessions Judge of Dwarka Courts (South West District) of having a good personal and professional image and that nothing adverse has come to notice against his integrity.
In the past, both the judicial officers have worked as Registrar General of the High Court.