In a significant moment for India’s judiciary, Justices N.V. Anjaria, Vijay Bishnoi, and Atul S. Chandurkar took oath today as judges of the Supreme Court of India. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Supreme Court complex, where Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud administered the oath of office.
With these appointments, the Supreme Court now functions at its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges, a position it had not held for several months due to recent retirements.
Who Are the New Judges?
Justice N.V. Anjaria
Justice Navinbhai Anjaria, known for his in-depth knowledge of civil and constitutional law, was born on March 23, 1965, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. After graduating in law, he began practicing at the Gujarat High Court in 1988, eventually rising through the ranks due to his consistent legal acumen and balanced judgments.
He was appointed an additional judge of the Gujarat High Court in November 2011 and became a permanent judge in September 2013. In February 2024, he took over as Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. During his tenure there, he gained recognition for digitizing case management systems and promoting judicial transparency.
Justice Anjaria’s judgments often reflect a meticulous interpretation of the law, especially in matters related to state accountability, land disputes, and service law.
Justice Vijay Bishnoi
Justice Vijay Bishnoi was born on March 26, 1964, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He enrolled as an advocate in July 1989 and quickly built a solid reputation at the Rajasthan High Court, particularly in matters concerning administrative law, service disputes, and criminal jurisprudence.
He was elevated as an additional judge of the Rajasthan High Court in January 2013 and confirmed as a permanent judge in January 2015. He went on to become the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in February 2024.
Throughout his career, Justice Bishnoi has advocated for reducing judicial pendency and expanding legal aid services to remote parts of northeastern India. His judgments are noted for their clarity, accessibility, and sensitivity to social justice concerns.
Justice Atul S. Chandurkar
Justice Atul Suresh Chandurkar was born on April 7, 1965, and began his legal career in July 1988. After practicing in the Bombay High Court, he shifted to Nagpur in 1992, where he handled a wide range of civil, constitutional, and taxation matters.
He was appointed as an additional judge of the Bombay High Court in June 2013. Over the years, he became known for his scholarly approach to the law, especially in interpreting constitutional freedoms and digital rights. Justice Chandurkar is also an author of legal commentaries, contributing to legal education and academic discourse in India.
Context and Significance
These appointments come at a pivotal time for the judiciary. The three new judges replace Justice Sanjiv Khanna (former Chief Justice of India), Justice Abhay S. Oka, and Justice Hrishikesh Roy, who retired in recent months.
The Supreme Court Collegium, led by CJI Chandrachud, had recommended the elevation of these judges just days earlier. The Centre cleared their appointments promptly, reflecting a rare alignment between the executive and judiciary on judicial elevation.
The move is also seen as an attempt to ensure regional diversity and representation of varied high courts in the apex court. All three judges have previously served as Chief Justices or senior judges in different high courts, adding rich experience and regional perspectives to the top court’s functioning.
Looking Ahead
With important constitutional cases pending before the court—including those related to electoral reforms, personal liberties, and digital privacy—the arrival of Justices Anjaria, Bishnoi, and Chandurkar is expected to lend new depth to the Court’s deliberations.
Their legal philosophies, judicial track records, and commitment to the rule of law are expected to contribute significantly to the evolving fabric of Indian constitutional jurisprudence.
