In a significant development within India’s judiciary, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the elevation of Delhi High Court Chief Justice Manmohan to the Supreme Court. This decision, announced on November 28, 2024, underscores the importance of maintaining balanced representation from various high courts in the nation’s apex judicial body.
Profile of Justice Manmohan
Born on December 17, 1962, Justice Manmohan is the son of the late Jagmohan, a distinguished bureaucrat and politician who served as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Justice Manmohan completed his schooling at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, and earned a B.A. (Hons.) in History from Hindu College, University of Delhi. He obtained his LL.B. from the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi, in 1987, and subsequently enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi.
Throughout his legal career, Justice Manmohan practiced primarily in the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court, specializing in civil, criminal, constitutional, taxation, arbitration, trademark, and service litigation. He was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Delhi High Court on January 18, 2003. His notable cases include matters involving the Dabhol Power Company, the Hyderabad Nizam’s Jewellery Trust, and the Claridge’s Hotel dispute.
On March 13, 2008, Justice Manmohan was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court and became a Permanent Judge on December 17, 2009. Following the elevation of then Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma to the Supreme Court, he served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court from November 9, 2023. He was sworn in as the 32nd Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court on September 29, 2024.
Collegium’s Considerations
The Supreme Court, with a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, currently operates with 32, following recent retirements. Historically, the Delhi High Court has contributed three to four judges to the Supreme Court at any given time. However, recent retirements have reduced this representation to just one—Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna. The Collegium’s recommendation to elevate Justice Manmohan aims to restore this balance.
The Collegium’s resolution highlighted that Justice Manmohan stands at serial number two in the combined all-India seniority of high court judges and is the senior-most judge in the Delhi High Court. It emphasized that his elevation would ensure adequate representation from the Delhi High Court in the Supreme Court.
Implications of the Elevation
Justice Manmohan’s elevation is expected to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Supreme Court. His diverse legal background and previous judgments reflect a deep understanding of complex legal issues, which will contribute to the Court’s deliberations.
Moreover, this move underscores the Collegium’s commitment to maintaining a balanced representation from various high courts, ensuring that the Supreme Court benefits from a wide range of judicial perspectives.
Next Steps
The Collegium’s recommendation has been forwarded to the Union government for approval. Upon acceptance, the President of India will issue the official appointment, and Justice Manmohan will assume his role as a Supreme Court judge.
This elevation marks a significant milestone in Justice Manmohan’s illustrious career and is poised to strengthen the judiciary’s capacity to uphold justice and constitutional values in India.
