Supreme Court Collegium elevates four advocates as AP High Court judges

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Collegium led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has recommended the elevation of four advocates as judges of Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday.

The four advocates recommended for appointment as High Court judges included Harinath Nunepally, Kiranmayee Mandava aka Kiranmayee Kanaparthy, Sumathi Jagadam and Nyapathy Vijay. Currently, the Andhra Pradesh High Court is functioning with 27 judges as opposed to its sanctioned strength of 37 judges.

On 22 February 2023, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, in consultation with his two most senior colleagues, recommended the elevation of the above Advocates as judges of the High Court. The Chief Minister and the Governor of Andhra Pradesh also agreed with the recommendation.

The Supreme Court Collegium had given its nod to this proposal after assessing the merit and suitability of the four lawyers. Though there were certain adverse inputs against Advocate Sumathi Jagadam, the Collegium overruled the same and concluded that she was suitable for being appointed a judge.

“The candidate is a woman belonging to the Scheduled Caste category. Bearing in mind all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Collegium finds the candidate suitable for appointment as a judge of the High Court," the Collegium said. The Collegium disclosed that there were no adverse reports against advocates Harinath Nunepally, Kiranmayee Mandava and Nyapathy Vijay.

The Collegium also recorded that Justice JK Maheshwari did not give any views on the suitability of advocate Nyapathy Vijay for the post of High Court judge, although all other four consultee judges were unanimously in favour of his elevation to the High Court bench.