The Supreme Court on Monday got five new Judges as Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud administered the oath of office and secrecy to three Chief Justices and two Judges of High Courts to the Supreme Court.
The five judges who took the oath of secrecy are:
1. Justice Pankaj Mithal (former Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court);
2. Justice Sanjay Karol (former Chief Justice of Patna High Court);
3. Justice Puligoru Venkata Sanjay Kumar (former Chief Justice of Manipur High Court);
4. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah (former Judge of Patna High Court);
5. Justice Manoj Misra (former Judge of Allahabad High Court).
The Supreme Court Collegium, in its meeting on December 13 last year, had recommended the elevation of these five High Court judges to the Supreme Court.
On February 4, President Draupadi Murmu had approved the appointment of three Chief Justices and two Judges of High Courts to the Supreme Court.
The working strength of the Apex Court has now gone up to 32, with two vacancies.
The remaining vacancies at the top court of the country could also be filled in the near future, if the recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium in its January 31 meeting are notified by the Central government.
On the last day of January this year, the Collegium had proposed elevation of Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Aravind Kumar as Judges of the Apex Court.