In a significant move to bolster the judicial strength of the Patna High Court, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of nine advocates as judges. This decision emerged from a crucial meeting held on Thursday, where the Collegium gave its nod to these elevations.
The names put forward include Mohammad Nadeem Seraj, Ranjan Kumar Jha, Kumar Manish, Sanjeev Kumar, Girijesh Kumar, Alok Kumar, Raj Kumar, Rana Vikram Singh, and Vikas Kumar. These recommendations will now be forwarded to the Central Government for approval, marking a key step in the appointment process.
Currently, the Patna High Court operates with 38 judges against a sanctioned strength of 53. With three judges, including Chief Justice S.K. Sahu, set to retire this year, the vacancy crunch is expected to worsen. Even after these nine appointments, several positions will remain unfilled, underscoring the ongoing challenge.
Patna High Court has long grappled with a shortage of judges, which hampers case disposal and leads to mounting backlogs. Roughly half of the approved posts are vacant, slowing down hearings and delaying justice for litigants across Bihar.
The process doesn’t end with the Collegium’s recommendation. The names go to the government for vetting, followed by presidential approval and formal notification. Until then, the court continues to function under strain, highlighting the urgency for swift action to restore full judicial capacity.