Supreme Court Collegium Recommended The Appointment Of Two Women As The Judges Of Gauhati High Court

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the name of Shamima Jahan, an advocate, and Yarenjungla Longkumer, a judicial officer for appointment as Judge of the Gauhati High Court.

The Supreme Court Collegium bench comprising of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice BR Gavai passed the resolution which reveals that the names have been suggested on the strength of the high court collegium’s May 2023 recommendations that underwent meticulous scrutiny and evaluation last October.

The Supreme Court Collegium bench stated that further consideration was deferred to seek the comprehensive report from the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court. Therefore, the report compiled in consultation with members of the high court collegium, it aims to provide insights into the suitability of the candidates, in light of inputs from the government. Thus, the chief justice, in letters dated 10.102023, and 07.11.2023, forwarded the minutes of the collegium, wherein shedding light on the candidates’ suitability.

The Supreme Court judges which being pursuant to the Memorandum of Procedure is well-versed in the affairs of the Gauhati High Court and were consulted to assess the fitness and suitability of Jahan and Longkumer.

The Supreme Court Collegium after careful consideration of these inputs by the recommendation of the high court collegium’s wherein it was determined that that the two are eminently suitable for appointment as judges of the Gauhati High Court.

The Supreme Court Collegium officially resolved to recommend the said appointments, with their inter se seniority which is to be fixed in accordance with existing practice.

At present, the Gauhati High Court has 23 judges, against the total sanctioned strength of 24 judges, among whom only four are women.