New Delhi: Justice Joymalya Bagchi was sworn in as a Supreme Court judge on Monday, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna administering the oath.
His appointment clarifies the line of succession for the Chief Justice of India until 2031, provided the established convention is followed. Notably, his selection was made over at least ten senior judges.
With Justice Bagchi’s elevation, the Supreme Court now has 33 judges, leaving one vacancy in its sanctioned strength of 34.
The Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Bagchi for elevation on March 6, and the Central government approved it on March 10.
Justice Bagchi was first appointed as a judge of the Calcutta High Court on June 27, 2011. He was transferred to the Andhra Pradesh High Court on January 4, 2021, but later repatriated to the Calcutta High Court on November 8, 2021, where he has been serving since. His judicial career spans over 13 years.
At the Supreme Court, Justice Bagchi is set for a tenure exceeding six years. He is expected to become the Chief Justice of India in May 2031 following the retirement of Justice KV Viswanathan. However, his tenure as CJI will be brief, as he is scheduled to retire in October 2031.
Justice Bagchi will be the first Chief Justice of India from Calcutta since the late CJI Altamas Kabir, who retired in 2013. His appointment leaves only one vacancy in the Supreme Court’s sanctioned strength.
