The Supreme Court Collegium’s latest recommendation promises a much-needed infusion of nine new judges into the Patna High Court. Thursday’s deliberations finalized the list of advocates ready to ascend the bench, a development that could ease the court’s overburdened dockets.
Prominent among the recommended names are Mohammad Nadeem Seraj, Ranjan Kumar Jha, Kumar Manish, Sanjeev Kumar, Girijesh Kumar, Alok Kumar, Raj Kumar, Rana Vikram Singh, and Vikas Kumar. This proposal now heads to the Union Government, initiating the final stages of confirmation.
With only 38 judges working against 53 sanctioned posts, Patna High Court faces acute shortages. The impending retirement of three judges this year—including Chief Justice S.K. Sahu—will exacerbate the issue. These new appointments, while welcome, won’t fully bridge the gap.
For years, the lack of judges has plagued Patna HC, resulting in delayed trials and piled-up cases. Litigants suffer as pendency rises, affecting the pace of justice delivery in one of India’s busiest high courts.
Once the government clears the names, the President will issue the appointment orders. This structured yet time-consuming procedure emphasizes the delicate balance between judicial independence and executive oversight in India’s judiciary.