The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Sonia G. Gokani as Acting Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court.
The resolution of the Collegium, published on the website of the Supreme Court on Thursday, stated that present Chief Justice Aravind Kumar has been recommended for elevation to the Supreme Court last month.
The Collegium said taking in view the good credentials of Justice Gokani, it was found that she was fit and suitable in all respects for being appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Gujarat.
The Collegium has proposed that Justice Sonia G. Gokani be appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Gujarat immediately on the elevation of Justice Aravind Kumar as Judge of the Supreme Court.
The resolution added that the recommendation should be processed on priority since Justice Gokani was due to retire on February 25 this year.
Justice Gokani, who is currently the seniormost judge of the Gujarat High Court, was appointed as judge on February 17, 2011 and is due to demit office on February 25. Justice Gokani was drawn from the judicial service of the State of Gujarat.
As per the Collegium, the appointment of Justice Gokani would bring a sense of inclusion and facilitate a representation for Judges drawn from the services in the office of Chief Justice.
The resolution said that the Collegium held discussions with the consultee judge to ascertain the suitability of Justice Gokani and the consultee judge concurred with the proposal.