As three new judges were sworn-in on Thursday, the Supreme Court will now work on its full strength of 34 judges from Friday.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud administered the oath of office and secrecy to Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, Justice Augustine George Masih and Justice Sandeep Mehta.
The ceremony was held at the premises of the Apex Court at 4:15 pm and was live streamed on the website of the Supreme Court.
The appointment of Justice Sharma, Justice Masih and Justice Mehta as judges of the Supreme Court was cleared by the Central government on Wednesday.
The Supreme Court Collegium had proposed their names for elevation on November 6.
Justice Sharma was working as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, while Justice Masih was working as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court and Justice Mehta was the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court.
The parent High Court of Justice Sharma parent is the Madhya Pradesh High Court, whereas Justice Masih and Justice Mehta hail from the High Courts of Punjab & Haryana and Rajasthan respectively.
The elevation of the judges was done solely on the basis of their seniority, merit, performance, integrity, diversity in terms of parent High Courts and social background.
The resolution in this effect noted that there was a huge backlog of cases, which has increased the workload of judges in the Supreme Court. The full-strength court was needed to clear the pendency.
Justice Satish Chandra Sharma was appointed judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on January 18, 2008. He was elevated as Chief Justice of the High Court for the State of Telangana on October 11, 2021 and thereafter transferred to High Court of Delhi on June 28, 2022.
Justice Sharma has been the Chief Justice for over two years. The recommendation resolution about him read that the judgments authored by him dealt with issues in various branches of law stand testimony to his legal acumen and competence.
As Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Justice Sharma practised in constitutional, service, civil and criminal matters.
Justice Sharma is second-placed in all-India seniority of High Court judges, and first in terms of judges from the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Justice AG Masih was appointed judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 10, 2008. He was elevated as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court on May 30, 2023.
The Collegium notes on Justice Masih said that he has acquired significant experience in diverse fields of law. Before his elevation, he practised in Constitutional, service, labour and civil matters.
He is seventh in the all-India High Court judges seniority list, and first among judges from his parent High Court.
The appointment of Justice Mehta as the judge of the Rajasthan High Court took place on May 30, 2011. He has been Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court since February 15 this year.
The Collegium notes mentioned that the Rajasthan High Court, which was a large High Court and parent High Court of Justice Mehta, did not have representation on the Bench of the Supreme Court.
Justice Mehta has served as a judge of the High Court for more than 12 years. He has acquired significant adjudicatory experience.
The judgments authored by Justice Mehta dealing with issues in various branches of law stand testimony to his legal acumen and competence. He will provide a value addition in terms of his acquired knowledge and experience, noted the resolution.
He is 23rd in the all-India High Court judges seniority list, and first among judges from his parent High Court, it added.