Reshuffle in court: Delhi HC gets three judges, two others transferred

For the incoming judges to the Delhi HC, the three notifications state, “In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 222 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to transfer” Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Avneesh Jhingan from Rajasthan HC to be judges of the Delhi HC as well as Justice Chandrasekharan Sudha from Kerala HC to the Delhi HC.

Similar notifications were also issued for the transfer of Justice Arun Monga from the Delhi HC to Rajasthan HC and of Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju to Karnataka HC. 

On August 27, the SC Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, had recommended the transfer of Justices Monga and Ganju. It further recommended the transfer of three judges — Justices Mehta, Jhinghan and Sudha —  to the Delhi HC. 

The recommendation for Justice Monga’s transfer came a little over a month after he took charge in the Delhi HC following his transfer from the Rajasthan High Court. Sections of the Delhi HC bar had protested against the transfers of Justices Monga and Ganju.

The Delhi HC will now see a total of 10 judges from outside Delhi, of the total strength of 44. 

The appointment rejig will also change the seniority list — six of the top 10 judges, as per seniority, will be from outside Delhi HC. 

The seniority also determines the composition of various committees, including that of the administrative and general supervision committee. It is likely that the revised administrative committee of eight judges may see five of them from outside the Delhi HC.