New Delhi: Justice Joymalya Bagchi, a judge of the Calcutta High Court, was sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court on Monday. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna administered the oath at a full court ceremony held in the CJI’s court.
With Justice Bagchi’s appointment, the Supreme Court now has one vacancy remaining out of its sanctioned strength of 34 judges. The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended his elevation on March 6, and the Central Government approved the appointment on March 10.
The Collegium’s resolution noted that Justice Bagchi, upon his appointment, is set to become the Chief Justice of India in 2031, after serving more than six years as a judge. He will hold the position until his retirement on October 2, 2031.
Justice Bagchi was appointed to the Calcutta High Court on June 27, 2011, and later transferred to the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2021. He was repatriated to the Calcutta High Court later that year and has served as a judge for over 13 years. During his tenure, he has gained extensive experience across various areas of law.
The Collegium also highlighted that after the retirement of Justice Altamas Kabir in 2013, there has been no Chief Justice of India from the Calcutta High Court. Justice Bagchi will take over as CJI after Justice KV Viswanathan’s retirement in May 2031, although his term will be short due to his own retirement in October of the same year.
Justice Bagchi is ranked 11th in the all-India seniority list of High Court judges, and the Collegium has taken this into account in its unanimous recommendation for his appointment to the Supreme Court.