“Judicial Appointments Surge: More Judges to be Named Soon”

153 judges have been appointed to various high courts this year, and there are hints of more appointments in the coming days. On Thursday, six additional judges were appointed to the Bombay High Court. The government is also considering elevating Bombay High Court Chief Justice Dipankar Datta to the top court. If appointed, the apex court’s working strength will increase to 30 out of a sanctioned strength of 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The process of appointing the next CJI is expected to begin this week or early next week, with the Union law minister writing to the CJI to name his or her successor. Justice Uday Umesh Lalit will retire as the CJI on November 8, and Justice D Y Chandrachud is the senior-most judge after the CJI. According to tradition, the CJI names the senior-most judge as his or her successor, making Justice Chandrachud the 50th CJI.