Justice Bagchi Appointed to Supreme Court, to Assume CJI Role in 2031

Justice Joymalya Bagchi took oath as a judge of the Supreme Court on Monday, where the oath was taken by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna. The swearing in comes on the heels of a week back when the Union government cleared his promotion, a move recommended by the Supreme Court collegium on March 6. The collegium, constituted by CJI Khanna along with Justices Bhushan R Gavai, Surya Kant, Abhay S Oka, and Vikram Nath, had recommended appointment of Justice Bagchi.

Justice Bagchi was earlier a judge in the Calcutta High Court from June 2011.His term in the Supreme Court is notable because he will be appointed CJI in May 2031, but for a mere period of four months and odd till his retirement date of October 2, 2031.

The collegium evaluated candidates based on merit, integrity, judicial competence, regional representation, and seniority. Justice Bagchi’s extensive experience over his 13-year tenure, including roles in civil, criminal, and constitutional law, will contribute significantly to the functioning of the Supreme Court. His appointment fills one of the two vacancies in the court, which has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges.

Justice Bagchi’s promotion marks the first time since the retirement of Justice Altamas Kabir as CJI in 2013 that a judge from the Calcutta High Court will occupy such a high-ranking position.There is only one Calcutta High Court judge, Justice Dipankar Datta, currently working on the Supreme Court bench. Justice Bagchi stands at number 11 in the all-India seniority list of high court judges, including chief justices.

The appointment strengthens the Supreme Court bench, which had been functioning with 32 judges instead of the sanctioned 34.