The SC collegium headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant recently recommended Chief Justices for six High Courts (HCs) across the country. Justice Manoj Gupta of Allahabad HC was proposed for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, consequent upon the retirement of the present Chief Justice on January 9, 2026. Justice Soumen Sen the current Chief Justice of the Meghalaya HC is set to take charge as the Chief Justice of the Kerala HC soon after the retirement of incumbent Chief Justice of Kerala HC on January 09, 2026. He is one of the senior-most judges in All-India Seniority of HC judges. Justice Revati P. Mohite Dere of the Bombay High Court was recommended for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court upon the transfer of the incumbent Chief Justice, Justice Soumen Sen. Justice Dere is the seniormost puisne judge at the Bombay HC, she delivered remarkable judgements during her tenure in Bombay HC including allowing women’s entry into inner sanctum of Mumbai’s Haji Ali Dargah. If appointed she would be one of the two women Chief Justices of a HC. Justice MS Sonak is also recommended by the collegium to be appointed as the Chief Justice of Jharkhand HC. He is currently serving at Bombay HC. The SC collegium proposed Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque of the Kerala High Court for the Chief Justiceship of the Sikkim High Court and lastly Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo of the Orissa High Court was recommended as Patna High Court Chief Justice.
Procedure for appointment of HC Chief Justices
Appointment of Chief Justice of HC
The Chief Justice is appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the concerned State.
Appointment of Other Judges of High Court
The judges other than the Chief Justice of HC are appointed by President in consultation with the CJI, the Governor of respective state and the Chief Justice of concerned HC. In the case of a common High Court for two or more States, the Governors of all the States concerned are consulted by the President of India.
Collegium System
The process of appointing judges is done by a collegium, which includes the CJI and the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of the High Court is appointed in accordance with a policy to ensure that Chief Justices are from outside the respective states.
Transfer of HC judges
The CJI and senior-most judges decide the transfer of judges, ensuring judicial independence. The proposal for transferring a HC judge (including a Chief Justice) should be initiated by the CJI and the consent of the judge is not required. For transferring a judge other than the Chief Justice, the CJI should take the views of the Chief Justice of the court concerned, as well as the Chief Justice of the court to which the transfer is taking place and one or more SC judges. The views, expressed in writing, should be considered by a full Collegium of five, which includes the CJI + 4 senior-most judges of the SC. The recommendation is sent to the Union Law Minister who passes it to the Prime Minister and finally reaches the President.
Removal of HC judges
A judge of a High Court can be removed from his/her office by an order of the President. The President can issue the removal order only after an address by the Parliament has been presented to him/her in the same session. The address must be supported by a special majority (i.e., a majority of the total membership of that house and the majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the respective house present and voting). The grounds for removal are two: proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
Impeachment Procedure
- The impeachment process of a judge of HC is same as that of a SC, which requires a motion to be signed by 100 MPs if initiated in Lok Sabha (LS) or 50 MPs if initiated in Rajya Sabha to be given to Speaker/Chairman.
- The Speaker/Chairman may admit or refuse to admit it.
- If admitted, then the Speaker/Chairman constitutes a three-member committee to investigate into the charges.
- The committee consists of following members: the Chief Justice or a judge of SC, Chief Justice of a HC and a distinguished jurist.
- After the motion is passed by each house by special majority, an address is presented to the President for removal of the judge.
- Finally, the President passes an order removing the judge.
Fact: No judge of SC or a HC has been impeached so far.
